Sam James kept a cool head to steer Knight Eagle to a clear-cut verdict in the www.thetote.com Handicap at Bellewstown.

The Fran Berry-ridden Cyborg was sent off the 3-1 favourite with the Kevin Prendergast-trained winner a relatively unconsidered 14-1 shot.

He defied those odds as James kicked for home well over a furlong out and the 7lb-claimer duly proved pretty useful in the finish, holding the challenge of Solo Performer by a length and three-quarters.

Trainer Andrew Heffernan is expecting Slade to improve again after he justified 11-10 favouritism under Berry in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

"He was on the wrong foot the whole way round and didn't like the track," said the trainer.

"I think the rising ground helped him come home. He might get further but will be a better horse next year."

Berry had earlier scored a head verdict aboard The Hamptons (7-1) in the Lougher Stables Handicap, but much of the drama took place on the way to the start as jockey Shane Foley was unshipped by French Express

The rider sustained a suspected fractured collarbone as well as ankle and shin injuries while the filly was withdrawn following the incident.

Apprentice jockey Darryl Byrne partnered his sixth winner of the season when steering Harry Rogers' Lily's Star to a surprise 16-1 victory in the first division of the Liam O'Donohoe Memorial Handicap.

Rogers said: "Lily's Star was a bit unlucky at Galway the last day as she didn't settle or get a clear run. We'll aim her at something similar next."

Division Two went the way of Foxilian (8-1), who bettered her recent second at Roscommon with a two-and-a-half-length call over Headford Lady

Winning trainer Ken Condon said: "The plan was to be fifth or sixth in the running but Declan (McDonogh, rider) had to adopt plan B.

"She travelled well though and deserved it after some nice runs. I'll go for something similar with her at seven furlongs or a mile."