Fran Berry extended his lead at the head of the Flat jockeys table by completing a near 18/1 double aboard Miss Isabela and Carlesimo as the three-day Festival got underway in very pleasant sunny conditions.
Miss Isabela opened her account at the 12th attempt in the sprint maiden, showing good speed throughout before holding off the late effort of Jennifers Princess by 3/4L.
'She had all the experience as well as the highest rating, and was entitled to win. The first time blinkers also helped to sharpen her up,' said Frances Crowley, who reports Saoire on target for the Irish Oaks.
Crowley's husband Pat Smullen heads the chasing pack but Berry is now on the 39 winner mark after giving Carlesimo a well-judged ride from the front in the 1m6f handicap.
The Noel Meade-trained dual purpose performer was overcoming a 12 months lay-off, staying on gamely to deny Tingshaw Ring by a head and may go chasing at the Galway Festival.
Umoja proved very unruly at the start for Robbie Burke before refusing to race and, after taking her previous record in this regard into account, the stewards suspended the five-year-old mare for 60 days.
Smullen reduced the arrears to six in the title race when successful later on Clonard in the mile auction maiden, edging left soon after striking the front a furlong out to beat Head And Shoulders by two lengths.
A stewards enquiry was immediately called but the placings remained unaltered, although Smullen was cautioned for careless riding.
The fast five furlongs course here suited Bye Bye Ben (Declan McDonogh) in the juvenile auction maiden as the well-backed 2/1 favourite beat fellow pace-setter Shinko Dancer by half a length.
'Three of the four two-year-olds I have run this year have now won, and this is a tough, sharp filly. She's a half-sister to Crystal View and Miss Trish (both have black type), and is on the market,' said trainer Patrick Prendergast.
Jim Culloty scored on his first visit to the County Meath track, sending the Edward O'Grady-trained Laragh House to the front before three out to beat Noleens Moon by 3 1/2L in the 3m handicap hurdle.
'I'll be riding here and in England, wherever I get the best rides,' said Culloty, who is a freelance this season but will still partner triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate.
The surprise win of Princess Commanche in the 2m4f winners hurdle ended most jackpot combinations, with just three lucky punters each receiving a dividend of 2,304.
The Steve Mahon-trained mare came from well off the pace under Robbie Colgan, who oozed confidence in the straight to beat better-fancied stable-companion Oriental Rock by eight lengths.
'She's one of the lightest horses in my yard but is tough and her heart is in the right place,' said locally based Mahon.
Naples was expected to easily land the bumper but those who shortened him from 4/9 to 4/11 were in for a shock as Amber Trix (Andrew Lynch) proved much the stronger in the final 1/4m to score by 2L.
Alan Magee
