Scarlet Velvet gave odds-on punters no worries when easily taking the opening EBF Fillies Maiden in front of a small crowd at Fairyhouse.
John Murtagh had Sheikh Mohammed's home bred in front from the starting stalls, and she cruised clear in the straight to beat Colourfast, who stayed on nicely after a slow start, by a facile two lengths.
'She was overdue a win, although she has been racing in good company. She doesn't quite get a mile, with six furlongs probably her best trip, and the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh (May 25) will be her next race,' said winning trainer John Oxx.
Detatch passed at least ten horses from the furlong pole to snatch victory under Wayne Smith in the Ash Handicap. The minor placings were reversed after a stewards enquiry as Clanboyo veered off a straight line and impeded Lorli.
Anticline may face a future across the Atlantic according to trainer Charles O'Brien after edging out Ilios in a protracted duel up the straight in the Chestnut Maiden. 'He is not EBF eligible, and so his opportunities here are limited. He wants this fast ground, and I would imagine he will head for America at some stage,' said O'Brien.
Only One Left had little to recommend on the form book, but he left four previous moderate runs well behind when readily landing a tidy gamble (20/1 to 14/1) in the Elm Handicap. Michael Hussey's mount led entering the straight, and stretched clear over a furlong out to beat Shoeless Joe by three lengths.
'We fancied him at Clonmel but he hung out badly on the bend into the straight. He's entered again at Killarney on Tuesday,' said permit holder Martin Doran.
Indy Carr was sent on half a mile out by Mark Grant in the Sycamore (QR) Handicap, and Pat Flynn's charge kept on well under pressure to beat Sea Hymn by two-and-a-half-lengths.
Alan Magee
