The evergreen Adamant Approach recorded his 13th career victory in the featured Gleneagle Summer Cabaret Chase as the four day Killarney Festival got off to a thundery start.
The Ruby Walsh-ridden 13yo gelding, allowed to drift out to 7/4 on track before backed down to 5/4, headed Kit Carson between the final two fences to score by 1 1/4L.
'He's already entered in the Hurdle and Plate at Galway and will be put in the GPT Handicap as well. He could go to Tipperary next weekend for the Grimes Hurdle,' said Willie Mullins.
Rosy Cyborg completed a double for the Mullins team in the bumper, ridden by trainers son Patrick to beat Lendrig by a diminishing length.
Ariege made an impressive debut in the juvenile auction maiden, leading over a furlong out before stretching clear under Wayne Lordan to beat Bunsen Burner by 7L.
'She's a grand, tough filly who stays well. The nursery at Galway is a possibility although its probably more important to look for some black type,' said Fozzy Stack.
Pat Smullen switched onto the Joe Crowley-trained El Cerro in the 1m3f handicap after stable-companion Prospectorous was taken out lame, and it proved a fortuitous move for the championship leader.
Smullen and last years champion Declan McDonogh, aboard the well-backed 9/4 favourite Sonnium, fought out a terrific finish with El Cerro just getting up in the closing strides.
'He may go for a mile and a half handicap at the Galway Festival, and has also schooled over hurdles and jumps really well,' said stable representative Damian Byrne.
High Diving will also head to Ballybrit after landing some nice bets (7/1 in the morning & returned 4/1) under Billy Lee in the 42-60 rated 1m3f handicap.
Ger Lynch's charge made smooth headway to challenge over a furlong out, and quickly settled the issue in a matter of strides to beat Dromhall Supreme by four lengths.
'He had to go up in the ratings to get into the mile and a half handicap he won at Galway two years ago,' said Lynch.
Topenhall justified favouritism in the opening maiden hurdle, prominent throughout under Robert Power and kept on well in the straight to beat Janeylad by two lengths.
'We were probably holding him up too long. He was a bit keen in behind again today but settled grand when Robert let him to the front before halfway,' said trainer Danny O'Connell.
Desert Mile got a lovely run up the inner to lead well over a furlong out for Shane Gorey in the claimer, eventually holding on by a neck from Arcelie with the fast-finishing Dafaroun 3/4L further back in third.
Alan Magee
