Triple UK champion jockey Oisin Murphy made his Listowel debut, in his native Co Kerry, but had to settle for second on Zephron in the Rose Hotel Handicap as Racing Royalty was played fast and late by Billy Lee.

Murphy, who expressed his delight at having his first rides in Listowel today, produced Zephron on in the inner in the closing stages but the pair were swamped by Racing Royalty who got up close home to win by half a length at 11/2. Runner-up Zephron wnt off the 4/1 favourite and was half a length in front of 11/1 Lisieux

No less than four horses held chances across the track in the final 100 yards and Nibras Rainbow gave best to finish out of the placings.

Lee's sister, Gillian Scott, trained the winner and said: "This doesn't happen very often and this is massive as Listowel is our local track and festival. 

"The ground is so important to this fella and when we saw it coming we were delighted - I couldn't believe his price!

"He is owned by a fantastic syndicate, from Tipperary, Limerick and Cork and they are gentlemen. We bought him cheaply enough, he has a great pedigree and could step up again. 

"We should get more soft ground in the next month although today was the day." 

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes