After a sluggish start to the campaign, John Oxx has now got his string in fine fettle and took the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Ragusa' Handicap on day one of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting at the Curragh.

Oxx saddled Avenante less than a fortnight after she struggled in the Munster Oaks, but she relished the drop from Group company.

Gary Halpin brought the 6-1 shot with her challenge approaching the furlong marker and she displayed a smart change of gear to hit the front before careering two and a half lengths away from Intisari < Qatari Hunter (2-1 favourite) completed a hat-trick with a clear-cut triumph in the Silken Thomas & Lock 13 Handicap.

Jim Bolger's upwardly-mobile colt went after The Major General and Crafted Jewel approaching the final furlong and saw out his race well to beat the staying-on Alishan by a length.< In Salutem produced a fine weight-carrying performance in the RTE Radio One Handicap but was pipped in a photo by Rattling Jewel (12-1).

The pair threw down their challenges together towards the stands rail, flashing past the post as one, with Rattling Jewel getting the verdict to give trainer Nicole McKenna her first winner.< Rehana (2-1 favourite) confirmed the promise of her introductory third at Fairyhouse by going two better in decisive fashion in the Peter Keatley Curragh Equine Groundcare EBF Maiden.

A 244-day absence proved no hindrance to Reckless Gold as he took the DoneDeal European Breeders Fund Maiden for Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien as the 9-4 favourite, while Joseph teamed up with his sister Ana to land the DoneDeal Apprentice Derby with Arya Tara

Donnacha set sail for home early in the straight on market leader Udogo but he was soon overhauled by his stable companion Arya Tara (7-1), and the three-year-old filly responded to all of his rider's urgings to keep Brokopondo two lengths at bay.< Radar O'Reilly hit the crossbar on both previous outings this year but went one better from the front in the Irish Independent EBF Maiden.