The Tote Mile Handicap, feature race on day two of the Galway Festival next Tuesday, is the likely target for Bawaader after the blinkered 5yo made all in the mile conditions race.
Pat Smullen's mount was strongly challenged by market rival Hard Rock City inside the final quarter mile but the Dermot Weld-trained gelding kept finding a bit extra under pressure to score by half a length, the pair drawing six lengths and more clear of the remainder.
'That was a battling performance and he goes on that soft ground. The race conditions suited him and we'll look now at the Tote Mile Handicap,' said Weld.
Dedo benefitted from a step back in distance to land the six furlongs juvenile maiden in the hands of champion Declan McDonogh.
By first season sire Modigliani, the Kevin Prendergast-trained colt was never far off the pace and kept on really well inside the final furlong to beat Soap Wars by two and a half lengths.
'The drop back in trip has made the difference but to be honest we found that out by accident rather than design,' admitted Prendergast afterwards.
Naked Ambition justified good support in the six furlongs maiden, prominent throughout and staying on well for Niall McCullagh to beat Essential Fear by a length.
'Niall said he was a bit leary in front and I think he'd like the ground a bit better as it's awfully sticky out there. He'll go for a six furlongs handicap somewhere,' said trainer Jessica Harrington.
Indian Pace followed up his course win here a fortnight ago when getting up in the closing stages under apprentice Paul Townend to beat Mystery Cat by half a length.
However the placings were only confirmed after a stewards enquiry as the winner hampered the close-up fourth Spesialta twice in the final furlong, and Townend picked up a two day ban for careless riding.
Luz De La Luna, home-bred by Kirsten Rausing, showed plenty of guts and determination to make a winning debut in the mile juvenile maiden.
The daughter of Cozzene kept on well for Kevin Manning to hold fellow newcomer Achill Island by half a length with the well-backed Alhabeeb just a short-head further back in third.
'It takes a good performance nowadays to be able to win a maiden first time out, although we will probably take out time with her,' said trainer Jim Bolger.
Shane 'Dusty' Foley partnered his second winner when Fields Of Green led over a furlong out in the latest leg of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Series, staying on well to beat Always On Top by half a length.
Favourite backers were rewarded in the only jump race on the card as Mighty Star dug deep in the straight under Sean Flanagan to beat Keep In Touch by a length.
'She deserved that win after a good few placings although I was a bit worried beforehand as this track does not suit front-runners.'
'She's tough out and hopefully will get into a nice handicap at Galway on the Sunday,' said trainer Michael Fitzgerald.
Alan Magee
