Benbecula with his eye-shields on, winning at Tramore© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Murtagh sent out his first winner as a trainer when Benbecula landed the August Festival 15th To 18th Rated Race at Tramore.
Ben Curtis dictated terms to suit himself on the 6-4 market leader and quickened the pace a quarter of a mile from the finish.< Lady Imola emerged from the pack to throw down a challenge, but Benbecula had flown and passed the post with a six-length advantage.
Andrew Thornton had a scare when Traveller's Tales fell in mid-race, but he emerged unscathed and won the Annestown Handicap with a late charge on John Morrison's Invincible Don (10-1).< St Jean demolished his rivals with a taking display in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Third to Derby hero Ruler Of The World on his return at the Curragh, Kevin Prendergast's Teofilo colt was sent off a 7-4 chance and had his rivals on the stretch from three furlongs out.
He extended his advantage even further and Chris Hayes was able to take his foot off the gas quite some way from the line, with St Jean still crossing it 16 lengths ahead of Ballyglasheen
A fast-forward move half a mile out from Hayes saw him follow up on the Paul Deegan-trained Melanippe in the Power Clan Gathering Handicap.< Right Up My Street (5-1) made a successful start to her career with an emphatic victory in the Irish Stallion Stud EBF Fillies Maiden.< Another Charm looked the most likely winner when poking through on the inside approaching the short home straight, but in-form Danny Grant had yet to ask Pat Flynn's newcomer for maximum effort.
She found a decent burst of speed once the question was put to her, which carried her to a three-and-a-half-length verdict.
Shane Foley led all the way on the Ger O'Leary-trained Bobskier (11-2) in the Book Online At tramore-racecourse.com Handicap, scooting round the sharp bends to score by nine lengths.
