Montpelier Street booked his ticket for the McDonogh Handicap at Galway next Tuesday when taking the featured Fermoy Handicap under Seamus Heffernan.
Tom Cooper's charge headed the front-running Lorli inside the final furlong, and kept on well to hold off Gold Chaser by a length. 'He was disappointing at Leopardstown last time, but I put that run down to the long journey as it took six hours to get there,' said the Tralee handler.
Pat Shanahan got down to his lowest weight for two years (8st3lb) to take the mount on Viva La Diva in the opening Tattersalls (Ireland) juvenile auction maiden, and the effort proved worthwhile as the 13/8 chance justified favouritism. Shanahan had the Con Collins-trained youngster prominent throughout, leading just inside the two furlongs marker to beat Tingshaw Ring by a length.
'Bert Kerr bought her at the sales, but unfortunately he couldn't be here this evening. She's done her job now, and will probably go for a nursery,' said winning trainer's daughter, Tracy.
Punters also latched onto newcomer Ridakiya in the EBF Fillies Maiden, and the Aga Khan home bred repaid the confidence in fine style. John Murtagh sent her to the front inside the final quarter mile, and she quickly drew clear to beat main market rival Sadinga by a very comfortable four lengths.
'She got upset in the starting stalls, and ran a bit green early on. However she warmed up to her job once into the straight, and won like a filly with a future,' said Murtagh afterwards.
Ger Lyons plans to 'mix it between the Flat and hurdles' with Mighty Mist, who led close home under Pat Cosgrave to beat Perugino Lady by a neck in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
The jackpot pool, boosted by a rollover in excess of e11,000, swelled to e24,219, but the 20/1 victory of Colliers Quay in the Sand & Gravel Hurdle greatly contributed to another carryover to the next meeting here on Sunday August 4.
Alan Magee
