Michael Kinane, who has led the Flat jockeys championship for most of the season, regained top spot with a double at a poorly attended Punchestown yesterday.

The eleven times champion switched to third reserve Powerscourt after his intended mount Ingres was taken out of the two-year-old maiden, and the Sadler's Wells colt was sent off the 1/3 favourite. However those who traded at such short odds had a few anxious moments in the straight as Aidan O'Brien's charge needed a strong drive by Kinane to beat Latino Magic by a length.

A stewards enquiry was called after the winner ducked left near the line and appeared to slightly hamper stable-companion Dalcassian, but the placings remained unaltered.

Kinane moved onto the 70 winner mark for the campaign, two ahead of great rival John Murtagh, when successful aboard Premier View in the seven furlong handicap. The Willie Browne-trained gelding led inside the final furlong to beat Risky Reef by two lengths.

Kinane is now a best-priced 1/2 with Ladbrokes for the championship, while Cashmans go 2/5 Kinane and 7/4 Murtagh.

Those who backed Rapid Deployment for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket this weekend received a boost when stablemate Blue Mantle took the mile and a half handicap in good style. Fran Berry's mount was prominent throughout, and quickened up nicely at the furlong pole to beat Rupununi by two and a half lengths. 'I always felt that she wanted soft ground, and will school her over hurdles,' said trainer Pat Hughes, who reports Rapid Deployment 'in good shape but the race may just come a bit too soon as he had the virus about six weeks ago.'

The juvenile auction maiden proved one for the ladies as Liz Doyle saddled her first winner on the Flat with the Catherine Gannon-ridden Fly Haia. The Flying Spur filly was produced with a well-timed challenge by Gannon, partnering her sixth winner of the season, touching off newcomer Miss Trish by a neck.

Bev Who also swooped late under Declan McDonogh in the sprint maiden, collaring the front-running Lady Kia in the closing stages to score by half a length. 'I have her about six weeks. She had good form earlier this year but seemed to lose her way, and I just freshened her up,' said Pat Martin of the former Michael Halford-trained filly.

First-season trainer Ken Condon saddled his second winner when Battish foiled a gamble on Gabidia in division one of the apprentice handicap. 'Billy (Lee) gave him a peach of a ride, and he may go to Thurles next Thursday with hurdling this winter a possibility,' said Condon.

Alan Magee