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Review LEOPARDSTOWN 17th Aug

Sun 17th Aug 2008, 18:50

Johnny Murtagh's big-race bandwagon rolled on at Leopardstown as he picked up the two main prizes on an afternoon packed with high-class talent.

The jockey was on board as Again put up a display full of promise to land the Group Two Ballygallon Stud Debutante Stakes for the David Wachman yard.

The Curragh maiden winner (9-2) came to tackle Rare Ransom in the final furlong and was driven out by Murtagh to score by three lengths, with Oui Say Oui taking second spot.

Leading 1000 Guineas hope Cuis Ghaire was sent off the 7-4 favourite to atone for a defeat last time, but she was floundering a long way out and beat a hasty retreat in the straight.

Murtagh followed up when King Of Rome dismissed his rivals in the Group Two Royal Whip Stakes.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old moved up smoothly to tackle leader Moiqen as they turned into the straight, at which point stable companion Zulu Chief was also looking dangerous.

But King Of Rome was the one who found most and he surged clear to score by three and a half lengths as the 9-10 favourite, with Alarazi staying on for second.

Supporters of Snaefell had a few anxious moments before Rory Cleary found the gaps on the 3-1 shot and swooped to land the Group Three Patrick P O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

Mick Halford's consistent four-year-old picked off the leaders in the final 100 yards and then held the late lunge of favourite Georgebernardshaw to win by a head.< Carribean Sunset (5-2) turned the Desmond Stakes into a procession, romping away to win the Group Three prize for Dermot Weld.

Pat Smullen brought her up from the rear to swing wide in search of better ground on the turn into the straight and she soon took over from Jumbajukiba who stuck to the far rail.

Carribean Sunset eased away from British raider Blythe Knight through the final furlong to win by four and a half lengths.

The Kevin Prendergast-trained Mores Wells (5-1) repeated last season's victory in the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes under Declan McDonogh, taking over from Sail p>© www.irish-racing.com