Kerisa (nearest) holds off the challenge of Drifting Mist© Photo Healy Racing
< Kerisa won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap at Sligo for John Oxx and the Aga Khan.
The daughter of Azamour was having just her second start over a mile and a half following a creditable third at the Curragh and benefitted from a clever Declan McDonogh ride.
After settling nicely in the middle of the pack, Kerisa got first run on fellow three-year-old Drifting Mist who had to come wide off the bend, and McDonogh had kept enough in the tank to hold on by a head as Drifting Mist flashed home late in the piece. Focussed (3-1 joint-favourite) followed up his Galway win with victory under a 5lb penalty in the Ladies Day 8th August Nursery Handicap.
The Brendan Duke-trained son of Intense Focus had the benefit of Ronan Whelan claiming 3lb in the saddle and the promising rider made a decisive move approaching the turn into the straight.
His mount responded willingly and fended off the late thrust of Hilltown Gal to score by half a length.
Kevin Prendergast's Pixie Hollow (11-8 favourite) built on her promising Fairyhouse introduction to get off the mark at the second attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.
Never too far off the pace set by Paddy Mac the grey daughter of Verglas swept to the lead soon after passing the furlong pole.
Outsider Hannah's Magic came from the back to pip the front-runner for second, but the Chris Hayes-ridden winner had three lengths in hand at the line.< Bainne got back to winning ways in the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Handicap.
Charlie Swan's filly was just denied by Versilia Gal over the same course and distance when last seen in June, but she made amends at odds of 12-1.< Jumbo Steps mount a valiant effort to make all but Jumbo Steps and Shane Foley pounced in the dying strides to claim the verdict by three-quarters of a length.
