Principally with the defection of Supasundae, and indeed two others, Run For Oscar took up the mantle of odds-on favourite for the finale at Killarney, division two of the MC Construction (Q.R.) Maiden. He didn’t disappoint.

At ‘threes on’ things were getting scary for connections and supporters up the straight as Philip Byrnes had to wait for a gap on the Oscar gelding.

In the Solwhit silks of the Top Of The Hill Syndicate, Byrnes got the room he required in the final furlong as Rocket Lad edged off the rail.

Run For Oscar was through swiftly, quickening up well to easily defeat that rival by four lengths.

The Byrnes yard suffered an odds-on reverse when Doctor Duffy lost out at Roscommon on Monday. There was to be no repeat here and Charles said: "He fell into the soft division - that's the way it goes and if you get the chances, you have to take them.

"He was caught a bit flat-footed but got up and that was the main thing - Philip (son) is used to that from the pony racing and this was his first ride around here.

"We'll see what mark he gets now but he (the handicapper) can't be too hard on him."

The Stewards informed John M.Burke, trainer of Rojo that a repeat performance from his charge, who veered badly right leaving the stalls, may render his charge liable to a suspension.

(TW & EM)