Eventual winner Papabili and Sean Corby emerge from stall 2© Photo Healy Racing
< Papabili had shown little in two starts at Dundalk this term, but he proved far too good for his Laytown rivals in the Gilna's Cottage Inn Maiden.
Sean Corby was happy to strike for home well over a furlong out on Georgios Pakidis' 10-1 chance, and he strode on nicely to beat Tubeanie by two-and-a-half lengths.
That sparked a double for Pakidis, who saw his Our Max take the Hibernia Steel QR Race.
Patrick Mullins appeared to have plenty in hand at the furlong pole as he eased the 10-3 chance into the lead, but he was all out to hold off Usa at the line.< Putin showed tremendous battling qualities to land the Download The At The Races App On iPhone Or Android Handicap.
British-based trainer Phil McEntee's 10-1 chance was in front a long way out under Billy Lee, with Kiss The Stars travelling sweetly into contention, but it was Putin who proved strongest in a pulsating battle close home, winning by a head.
McEntee's bid for a double came to no avail as his Swiss Cross had no answer to Strait Of Zanzibar in the O'Neills Sports QR Handicap.
Ken Condon's 10-3 chance was confidently ridden by the handler's wife Pauline and after taking up the running over a furlong out, he streaked clear to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Cheers Buddy with Swiss Cross third.< Acroleina ran on strongly to land the Balmarino Handicap for trainer Harry Rogers.
Held up in the early stages, the only issue for the 3-1 favourite seemed to be whether he would find a gap as he travelled beautifully, but Shane Foley picked his way through the field and he ran away with it in the final furlong, beating Enigma Code by two-and-a-half lengths.
Chris Geoghegan's brave move up the rail reaped rewards when Bussa obliged in the Marquees Nationwide Claiming Race, as Emmet Butterly's 12-1 chance squeezed into the lead and scored by half a length from Tithonus
