Kevin Prendergast's filly Rebelline bounced back from her disappointing effort in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month to land the featured G2 Hunston Financial Pretty Polly Stakes.
Backed from 9/2 before racing and 3/1- 2/1f on the track, Chryss O'Reilly's daughter of Robellino swept to the front approaching the furlong pole before she stayed on gamely under Declan McDonogh to land the spoils from Molomo and Golden Apples.
'She was heavily in season before her run in the Irish 1,000 Guineas (5th) but she was bang on today. She was working well and the ground was right (good-yielding),' said a delighted Kevin Prendergast.
On future plans for Rebelline, Prendergast added, ' She will head for the Irish Oaks next. I think she will get the trip. This filly has been right from day one and I'd be hopeful in the Oaks next month.'
Property developer Luke Comer recorded his first Group race success when Chimes At Midnight landed the G3 Curragh Cup in the hands of Wayne Smith.
After a sluggish gallop in the early stages Pat Smullen sent warm favourite Quality Team (6/4-4/5f) into the lead after 4f but the race was never run to suit the market leader and he faded to finish last.
Wayne Smith sent the 10/1 shot Chimes At Midnight past Mediterranean after the furlong pole to run out the 2l scorer with Golovin a further 1 1/2l back in 3rd.
'I knew he was 100% right today but you never know in this game as it's the toughest game of all to win,' said Comer, who added, 'He's a lot better than his form suggests and he's well entered up.'
There was a sting in the tail for rider Wayne Smith, who was also recording his first Irish Group success, as he was handed a 2-day suspension for excessive use of his whip.
Aidan O'Brien's Hidden Dragon, a runner-up on his debut behind High Society in a Leopardstown Listed contest, needed all of Michael Kinane's urgings to forge past Sandford Park well inside the final furlong to win the opening 6f maiden.
'He's a big baby but is a fast horse with plenty of speed who may get a mile next year,' said Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O'Brien who went on to complete a double with Hawkeye (5/2-3/1-5/2) in the finale.
Dermot Weld was fulsome with praise for stable jockey Pat Smullen after the Offaly rider teamed up with Diamond Trim (6/1-8/1) to land the valuable Tote - The Easy Way To Bet handicap by a diminishing length from Irish Empire.
Tadgh O'Shea had an afternoon to remember when he completed a 135/1 handicap double sparked off aboard Dermot Weld's top-weigh Caumshinaun, who survived a stewards enquiry in the 7f Fillies Handicap.
One lucky Jackpot investor scooped a dividend of #28,726.80 after O'Shea forced Michael Halford's 16/1 light-weight Cool Cousin up in the dying stride to pip Camaderry by the minimum margin in the 7f handicap.
