After a string of near-misses, Worldly Wise bagged an overdue win at Gowran Park and in the process continued the excellent run of trainer Pat Flynn.
The six-year-old was sent off at 5-1 under Danny Grant for the Golf Open Week At Gowran Park Handicap, and asserted late on to beat 5-2 market leader Separate Ways by a length and a quarter.
It was a first win since a triumph over this course and distance in October 2007 for the Namid gelding, who was beaten a short head at Leopardstown last month.
Flynn said: "That was great, we were hoping he'd win. We were a little worried about the ground but he's a strong old horse and he handled it well.
"We were disappointed he didn't get into the McDonogh Handicap at Galway. He deserved to win this, he has been consistent all year. We will probably go for another handicap next."
Flista (7-1) sprouted wins inside the last to land a valuable prize in the shape of the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders' Fund Fillies Handicap.
The lead changed several times at the business end of the mile contest, but Jim Bolger's three-year-old found another gear to sweep past her rivals and eventually won going away under Danny Mullins, who doubled up on Our Nana Rose (10-1) for Pat Martin in the Clashwilliam Handicap.< Joshua Tree (13-8 favourite) proved a most willing partner for Johnny Murtagh in making a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.
The Montjeu colt first looked vulnerable when Book Of Numbers threw down a challenge and then Saajidah came there strongest of all.
But Murtagh somehow galvanised his mount on the rails and got the verdict by a short head right on the line.
The maiden form of Cheval Rouge entitled her to be thereabouts in the Open Singles Every Thursday At Gowran Park Nursery Handicap, and so it proved as the Harry Rogers-trained filly came home a comfortable two-length winner from Musical Rain
Rogers also has his string in good nick, and said of the 7-2 chance: "She was entitled to win. She was unlucky at Killarney and
