Michael O'Brien's Newlands North landed the E75,000 Specsavers Ulster Derby at Down Royal today running out the length and a half winner under Rory Cleary.
Newlands North made most of the running but was headed briefly by Hurricane Alley five furlongs from home.
However, 17 year old Cleary soon sent the four year old to the front with three furlongs to race, and the son of Goldmark stayed on gamely to defeat the luckless Callow Lake.
O'Brien was absent but did report, by phone, 'Newlands North is a bit keen and cannot race too often.'
He explained 'he needs space between his races but there is a possibility he may run at The Curragh again next weekend. Otherwise, we may wait for another race there next month while he will be sent back hurdling at some stage.'
The opening Tattersalls Ireland Auction Maiden went to Ger Lyons' Silly Dancer (4/5 - 1/1 favourite).
Tadhg O'Shea's mount chased the leaders before being produced to lead a furlong out, eventually staying on for a length win over the unpronounceable Shutruk-Nahhunte.
Afterwards Lyons reported 'that's our third two year old win of the season and we have had eight seconds also. Hopefully this filly can build on this win.'
Lovinsky made all bar the final few strides of the Louis Roderer Champagne Handicap and was headed close home by Myles Sutherland's Say Anything under Billy Lee.
Sutherland, formerly assistant to Jim Bolger, was recording his fifth training success and mentioned 'the balloting situation is so bad we brought her to Chepstow last time but she got upset and had to be withdrawn before the start.'
Jockey Pat Shanahan injured his shin and was stood down for the day following a fall from Pesante who had to be withdrawn before the start of the race.
The fall meant Shanahan was unable to ride Eoin Doyle's Tingshaw Ring, winner of the Best Bet Eastwood - Telephone Betting Handicap.
Jockey Christopher Geoghegan has been enjoyed a tremendous run of success recently and substituted for Shanahan on board the 8/1 winner.
Eamon Tyrell's Portcarron got up to beat Tamara Gervasoni by a head in the William Ewart Properties Ltd Rated Race while trainer Robbie Osbourne recorded his third win of the campaign with Miss Blueyes in the 1m2f maiden.
