Chamonix put up a tough performance at Galway© Photo Healy Racing
< Chamonix proved the highlight of a Joseph O'Brien treble at Galway.
Having just his third start in the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, the 5/2 shot set sail for home a fair way out.
But he clearly has stamina in abundance and although Midnight Music went in pursuit, Chamonix never really looked like being caught and ultimately proved six lengths too strong for staying-on stablemate Demurely
Their trainer Aidan O'Brien hosted a press morning on Monday as Camelot's date with destiny looms ever closer, and the Ballydoyle maestro got St Leger week off to a flyer when Eye Of The Storm (3/1) made a successful debut in the Donnelly's Of Barna EBF Maiden.
The son of Galileo travelled smoothly on the heels of the leaders and when O'Brien jnr sent him about his business, he saw out the extended mile best of all to beat Pearl Of Africa by two and three-quarter lengths.
The jockey followed up just half an hour later when steering 3/1 market leader Cairdiuil to an emphatic success in the Paschal Corrigan Memorial Handicap.
Dermot Weld, so often in the winner's enclosure here, had to settle for second with Cocktail Hour in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.
Ben Curtis gave Wholelotofrosie an enterprising ride from the front and although Cocktail Hour lunged late, the post came in time for the 9/1 chance.
Weld went one better in the Galway Apprentice Handicap as Leyland (12/1) improved for the application of blinkers in the hands of Leigh Roche.< Consonance (13/2) pulled out all the stops to break his duck under Pat Smullen in the James P. Cunningham Electrical Handicap, and Weld and Smullen combined with all-the-way winner Three Kingdoms (9/10 favourite), who carried the famous Sheikh Mohammed colours to victory in the concluding Renmore Maiden.
