Mint Chai (noseband) and Landofhopeandglory battle out the finish© Photo Healy Racing
< Mint Chai upset red-hot favourite Landofhopeandglory in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Premier Nursery Handicap, the feature race at Naas on Wednesday afternoon.
Aidan O'Brien's charge was sent off 8-11 to follow up his debut victory at Galway and those odds looked justified as he cruised into contention early in the home straight.
However, the winner followed his moved and after the pair had good battle inside the final furlong, Ger Lyons' gelding (8-1) got up by a head.
The Michael O'Callahgan-trained Blue De Vega built on an encouraging debut with an authoritative display in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. (C & G) Maiden.
Having finished third at Dundalk earlier in the month, the 7-2 chance exploited a nice position turning for home to quicken clear in taking fashion and pulled four and three-quarters lengths clear of Tribal Beat at the line.
The well-backed Ceol An Ghra could only finish sixth as Kalisma (5-1) produced an impressive debut performance to land the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Fillies Maiden.
Dermot Weld's Cape Cross filly is a half-sister to high-class performers Kalanisi and Kalaman, and could have a bright future herself judged by the way she stayed on for Pat Smullen to beat Waitaki by a length and three-quarters.
Weld and Smullen completed a double when Kayimavik (5-1) returned to the winner's enclosure with a length-and-a-half victory over Angel Of Joy < Louis Leroy (12-1) stole a march on his rivals in the Panoramic Restaurant At Naas Racecourse Handicap and wasn't for catching as he held the challenge of Expreso Brasileiro for a half-length success.< Hatton Cross (16-1) opened his account for the season with a deserved victory in the Follow Naas On Facebook Handicap.
Running well in defeat all year, Wayne Lordan's mount showed a good attitude to prevail in his battle with runner-up Burren View Lady and Suburban Sky with three-quarters of a length to spare.
The line came just in time for Athassel Abbey (6-1) as David Wachman's filly held the fast-finishing
