< Honourable Emperor dug deep for Joseph O'Brien to follow up his narrow maiden victory at Dundalk in January by taking the feature Chefs Kitchen Race on the all-weather track.
Noel Meade's charge (6-4) was sent straight into the lead and was still there coming down the straight, where the favourite Patrimonium travelled sweetly into contention and looked to be going best.
O'Brien got the required response when he asked Honourable Emperor for maximum effort and the three-year-old showed commendable heart to fend off his rival by half a length.
The Paul Deegan-trained Zahr Alyasmeen was sent off the 4-7 favourite for what looked a weak Family Value Median Auction Fillies Maiden, but Kevin Manning had to work hard to get her home in front.< Kanes Pass attempted to make all and proved a tough customer when the market leader came to challenge a furlong out, giving way only in the final 50 yards as Zahr Alyasmeen won by half a length.
Andy Slattery has An Saighdiur in terrific form and the five-year-old recorded his third victory in four starts at the track this year in the Your Local Value Centre Handicap.
The 7-2 favourite did it with some authority, too, leading a furlong and a half out and kicking clear to score by a length from Almadaa under Declan McDonogh.
The jockey notched another winner when Billyford who was pretty smart before a three-year absence from the track, completed a hat-trick in the BWG Foodservice Handicap.
Liam Roche's seven-year-old was handy throughout and got the better of a sustained duel with long-time leader Rocky's Pride close home, winning by half a length.< Matjar (100-30 joint-favourite) scooted clear to win the first division of the www.valuecentre.ie Handicap under Diego Dias, while Tide Runner (22-1) swept from last to first to take the second division in the hands of Shane Foley.
