"Kevin (Manning) said he was very green in the end and was galloping up in the air a bit. He'll come on a lot for the run," said stable representative Ger Flynn after Mandarin Monarch (10/1) continued to display the well-being of Jim Bolger's string by taking the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Gowran.

A hooded son of Manduro, making his debut like all of his rivals, Mandarin Monarch short-headed the strong favourite Zulu Alpha (Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen) after a stirring duel.

In a good sign for the race the principals left third placer, Sword Fighter all of four and a quarter lengths back.

"He handled the ground and the track- he's a nice horse. He's still very big, a tall weak horse," added Flynn.

"He has a good attitude and is a good looking horse. We're delighted with him. Kevin said he had to get a bit more serious with him than he really wanted to in order to put the race to bed."

The Stewards fined Patrick J.Flynn, trainer of Fryst Mattur, €350 for failing to lodge the passport in time for this horse, which resulted in the horse being withdrawn from this race.

(GC & EM)