< Windsor Park took classy winning bumper form into the Gowran Park Santa Train Maiden and those who sent him off the 2-7 favourite for the finale at the County Kilkenny track were all smiles from some way out.

Dermot Weld's five-year-old was sent to the front from the start by a confident Pat Smullen and though Golden Ticket pestered him at one stage, he shrugged off that rival and led off the final bend going well.

Coming down the straight there was never a doubt who would win and Smullen only needed to nudge Windsor Park out to pass the post with two and a quarter lengths to spare over Call Me PJ.

The winner trainer and jockey also struck in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden through Baldonnel (10-1), who proved strongest of several in with a chance at the furlong pole, getting up to score by a neck.

The betting suggested the impeccably bred Adeste Fideles only had to turn up to win the Best Of Luck To The Kilkenny Seniors And Minors This Sunday Fillies Maiden, but that proved far from the case.

Colin Keane set off in front on Ger Lyons' first-time blinkered Crafted Mastery (8-1) and built up a significant mid-race lead, which turned out to be plenty as the 1-2 favourite gave chase in vain and was beaten two and three-quarter lengths.

Brendan Duke's 7-1 shot Intenser was always up with the pace in the Lets Go Europe Ryder Cup Rates At Gowran Park Golf Club Nursery and having been sent on just inside the final furlong by Ronan Whelan, ran on strongly to win by a length and a half.

Billy Lee hit the front at the quarter-mile pole on Tommy Stack's 9-1 shot Tooreen Legend in the Next Meeting At Gowran Our G3 Day Handicap and the gelding stuck on gamely to hold off all-comers by three-quarters of a length.

Sean Corby took an uncontested lead all the way on Mick Halford's 7-2 shot Red Laser in the Kilkenny Apprentice Handicap, while Michael Mulvany's Annagh Haven (11-2) got off the mark in the 100 Years Racing Handicap under Leigh Roche.