Rostropovich, who has been in such great form over hurdles in recent weeks, reverted to the flat to capture the Listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown this evening.
The Sadler's Wells gelding, a rare flat ride for David Casey, quickly built up a clear lead, and with the other jockeys all riding waiting races still held a healthy advantage turning for home.
Favourite Media Puzzle went in pursuit in the straight, but never really looked like getting on terms with the flying grey, who ultimately scored by 1 1/2 lenghts.
'He's a bonny horse, and really enjoyed that,' said a jubilant Mouse Morris afterwards.'
'We'll look at the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot now,' he continued, before indicating that the gelding operation mentioned after his charge's Fairyhouse victory will now have to be reconsidered.
The beautifully-bred Alluring Park (5/4-9/4) belied a lack of market confidence with a pleasing debut win in the two year-old fillies' maiden.
Kevin Manning brought the daughter of Park Express through to lead entering the final furlong and she strode out in good style for a length verdict over No Apologies.
Trainer Jim Bolger will consider the Railway Stakes for his charge's next outing, but it was hard to disagree with his assessment that this is really 'a filly for the future'.
Josh's Pearl (4/6-4/5-8/11f), a daughter of the great Ridgewood Pearl, was expected to make a winning debut in the 1m maiden, but after running green the filly had to settle for a never-nearer fourth.
The prize went the way of the consistent Reina Blanca, who stayed on well to score under Eddie Ahern and may now be aimed at the McCalmont fillies' race at Gowran Park.
'She deserved that win, particularly after getting badly interfered with (when fourth) in the Guineas trial here last time,' said trainer Michael Grassick.
Bowmans Crossing paid a handsome compliment to his Cork conqueror Wiseman's Ferry when bounding clear inside the final furlong to take the 7f median auction maiden.
Jakeal attempted to make all here, but had no answer when Seamus Heffernan asked his mount to go about his business in the straight and eventually went down by four lengths.
Ex-John Dunlop inmate Don't Surrender lived up to his name when atoning for a narrow defeat last time in the 5f handicap.
The 9/4 favourite had just been outstayed over 6f last time, and benefitted from this return to the minimum trip as he just held the fast-finishing Newpark Lady by a neck.
New handler Declan Gillespie now hopes to campaign the syndicate-owned four year-old in some of the better sprint handicaps.
Stay Cool (11/4-7/2f), a good third at the Curragh recently, swept to the front entering the last to take the concluding 7f handicap for Pat Shanahan and Con Collins.
