Decorated Knight and George Baker prove too good for Portage and James Doyle© Photo Healy Racing
Roger Charlton launched a successful raid on Leopardstown as Decorated Knight (9-4) stamped his authority on the ICON Meld Stakes.
Michael Halford's Royal Hunt Cup hero Portage was the odds-on favourite and made his own running before kicking early in the straight.
He had no answer when Decorated Knight swept by, though, and his superior acceleration carried him to a two-length triumph in the Group Three contest.< Sportsmanship confirmed the promise of his recent Naas near-miss by going one better in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained even-money favourite took it up at the top of the straight and lengthened well for Donnacha O'Brien to dispose of stablemate Courage Under Fire by three-quarters of a length.
Ana O'Brien got in the act when steering Paul Deegan's Three Majors (7-1) home in front in the ICON Apprentice Handicap, just 24 hours on from his fifth at Killarney, and doubled up courtesy of Arya Tara in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes.
After completing a hat-trick in a Roscommon handicap 10 days ago, the 6-4 favourite was taking a big step up in grade, but she proved up to the task and stuck her neck out really well to account for Avenante by a length, giving Joseph O'Brien his first Listed winner since joining the training ranks.< Intern made a successful beginning to his career & ndash; albeit after a stewards' inquiry - in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
The 7-2 shot was brought wide to make his challenge by Wayne Lordan and that made the difference because he got a clear run at Drake Passage and beat him by a head, whereas fellow newcomer Right Honourable met all kinds of trouble and finished a never-nearer third.< Seville Star showed marked improvement from last week's narrow debut defeat to run away with the Hermitage Green Maiden as the 6-5 market leader.
