Colm O'Donoghue is enjoying a good week and he shone on Cilium (6-1) for County Tyrone-based Andrew Oliver as the four-year-old readily defied top weight in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap at Killarney.< Rory Anna (11-8 favourite) finished well from the rear in the & euro;23,500 contest but was still a length and a half adrift.
O'Donoghue said: "I spoke to Andrew this morning, he said to get her there at the furlong pole and she'll take a lot of beating. She'd won on easy ground before and for the amount of rain they've had here they've done a wonderful job."
Favourite-backers were made to sweat in the opening Mike Cronin Readymix Ltd Maiden as the game looked up for Aidan O'Brien's 7-4 market leader Don Leone at the two-furlong pole.
But Seamie Heffernan 's mount found another gear and got back up to win by one and a quarter lengths from O' Bella Ballerina, who had looked the certain winner at one stage.
Galway Plate entry Northern Alliance finished 11 lengths away in fourth while Dessie Hughes was not too downcast after fellow Ballybrit hopeful Montero faded to sixth after looking promising up to the half-mile pole.
Hughes said: "He needed the run. They have just done him for speed around that bottom bend.
"He doesn't look too badly in in the Plate, but he'll need quick ground."
Augustine Leahy's Kims Dream landed a few decent bets in the Killarney Oils Ltd Handicap, being backed into 8-1 from double-figure prices and getting up close home to deny 25-1 shot Days Ahead by a neck.
Edward O'Grady's Diophas (9-4) emerged on top following a thrilling battle with market rival Forjoetheplumber in the Irish Open 29th July To 1st August Beginners Chase.
Andrew McNamara's mount responded with a fine leap at the last, in contrast to his closest pursuer who was a length and a quarter in arrears at the line.
