Tom McCourt went close to landing both divisions of the concluding Leopardstown Handicap but his Lady Scathach failed by a neck to reel in 20/1 scorer Palabres

The favoured on the pace approach paid dividends for the first-time blinkered Palabres, trained by Peter Fahey for his wife Ber.

Chris Hayes did the steering, and he always seemed happy that he’d saved a bit after going for his race up the straight.

Lady Scathach’s stable companion Lady Savannah won half-an-hour previous but Palabres was always likely to be dangerous from a lowly rating of the 46, off which she ran from here.

“She works very well at home,” said Fahey.

“She started favourite on her first two starts for Ger (Lyons). Eamon Leigh picked her up from Patrick Cooper.

“We thought she'd run better last year but she dropped down the ladder and got her chance with the handicapper.

“She won today and we'll hopefully find something similar for her. There is another day in her hopefully. It's great to get a winner early on in the season.

“She has loads of pace and she's a brilliant work horse at home. I was coming here today thinking if she didn't run well there was something wrong.

“She disappointed us loads of time on the track so it's brilliant to get a win out of her.”

N.J. Ryan, rider of Knock Flyer trained by D.J.Barry, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount reared up when leaving the stalls.

R.P. Cleary, rider of Arcanecho trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.

James J. Doyle, rider of Miss Moneybags trained by Liam Lennon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Arcanecho, trained by Thomas Cleary, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have had blood on the nose as a result of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Miss Moneybags trained by Liam Lennon was found to have had blood on the nose post race as a result of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

(GC & EM)