< Blackstairmountain was forced to pull out all the stops to justify odds of 1/7 in the Hilltown (QR) Race at Bellewstown.
Willie Mullins' classy jumper was behind Parramatta heading towards the last of the 12 furlongs, but he eventually hit top gear and asserted in the final 100 yards.
The withdrawals of Katiola and Jessie Jane took some of the gloss off the www.thetote.com Handicap, but little could be taken away from determined winner Solo Performer (12/1).
The top-weight was sent into a clear lead and while his nearest pursuer Phantom Of Plenty hung significantly to his right rounding the home turn and early in the straight, Solo Performer proved a willing partner for Chris Hayes, crossing the line with nine lengths in hand.
Hayes had got on the scoresheet before that when Approval Given claimed the spoils in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.
The 11/4 shot appeared to collar long-time leader Wholelotofrosie at the furlong pole, but she fought back valiantly and a photo had to be viewed before Paul Deegan's gelding could be called the winner.
The relatively exposed All Ablaze (10/1) had top-weight to contend with in the Glebe House Stud Nursery Handicap, but did so the hard way, making every post a winning one in the hands of Rory Cleary.
Damian English's colt stuck to his guns really well in driving rain, holding off More Questions by half a length.
The Lougher Stables Handicap (Div 1) went the way of Speed Dream (12/1) - another ridden by Cleary - while the second instalment fell to Rigid Rock (5/1 joint-favourite), who completed a double for trainer Jim Gorman following the success of 8/1 chance Liberty To Rock in the Meath Handicap.< Jpevie (3/1) gained just reward for this season's consistency when breaking through under Gary Carroll in the Niall Collier Memorial Claiming Maiden.
