Champion elect Barry Geraghty brought his tally for the season to 105 when completing a double, highlighted by the feature race win of Joueur D'Estruval in the East Cork Oil Imperial Call Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained grey made every yard of the running in this three miles Listed event, keeping on strongly in the straight to beat the never dangerous Dromlease Express by seven lengths. 'I'm really looking forward to running this fellow next winter as he needs a good cut in the ground. I hope to run him again this season if the ground is right,' said Mullins.
Geraghty was earlier on the mark when Caimin's Caper completed a four-timer this year by defying top-weight in the handicap hurdle. Jim Dreaper's charge took advantage of mistakes by a number of his rivals, notably Rathkenny, at the last to hold on by a length from a wall of horses led home by the fast-finishing Willie The Shoe. 'We are undecided about whether to got to Punchestown as he deserves a rest,' said Dreaper's wife Patricia.
Paul Carberry is 14 adrift in the title race, although he was also on the score-sheet when getting the heavily-backed 6/4 favourite Hard Shoulder up in the closing stages of the maiden hurdle. Trainer Noel Meade later doubled up in the bumper as the confidently-ridden Captain Sunshine (2/1 to 6/4 favourite) led well over a furlong out for a comfortable two length verdict over Breach Of Trust.
Come In Moscow led virtually in the final stride of a dramatic two and a half mile handicap chase. Coolnahilla looked certain to end a frustrating sequence of placings when four lengths clear after the last but amateur Andrew McNamara's mount flew home to snatch victory.
Ratoath trainer John Rafferty saddled his first winner when Tender Cove caused a shock in the seven furlong handicap, stretching clear a furlong out under Fran Berry to beat Triton Dance by two lengths. Rafferty (27) only took out his restricted licence four months ago, and has four horses in training.
Shamoan (1/2 to 2/5) was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the four-runner juvenile maiden. However punters were in for a shock as Clash Of The Ash, nine lengths behind the hot-favourite when the pair made their debuts at the Curragh last month, turned the form book inside out under Kevin Manning.
'I thought he would run better at the Curragh but he was exceptionally green there and has come on a lot from the run. He wants further than five furlongs, and could be aimed at the Railway Stakes,' said trainer Jim Bolger, who has his normal quota of 40 to 50 two-year-olds.
Dual champion apprentice Tadgh O'Shea produced Miss Serendipity with a strong late challenge on the stands side rail to take the six furlongs handicap.
Alan Magee
