The Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap was divided to form an eight race card, and Waterford apprentice Davy Condon took full advantage when taking both divisions with Kilbride King and Ballintry Guest.
Kilbride King led well over a furlong out to beat Millennium Lilly by half a length, and Condon (16) was also seen to good effect aboard Ballintry Guest in division two. 'Davy didn't panic when they went a good pace', said trainer Pat Flynn after his charge led early in the straight to beat Liffeydale by three lengths.
Michael Kinane dominated the remainder of the Flat section of the card when also partnering a double aboard Sherry Spinner and Venus De Milo. Sherry Spinner was prominent throughout in the opening Kilkenny Maiden, staying on well inside the final furlong to beat the gambled-on Without Pretense by a length and a half.
Pat Hughes will now try to get some black type for the Royal Academy filly, and the Bagenalstown trainer said: 'She is laid-back, and the run at Tralee brought her on. The ground (good to firm) and blinkers were also a help'.
Kinane followed up with first reserve Venus De Milo in the Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly was also ridden close to the pace, and stayed on best in the straight to beat Stylish Icon by two lengths.
The market proved a good guide to the Thomastown Nursery, where the well-backed 5/2 favourite Almost Famous scored in fine style. Jim Bolger's charge, also fitted with blinkers and stepping up in trip on his handicap debut, struck the front a furlong out to beat Quakemaker by two and a half lengths.
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