Championship leader Michael Kinane extended his lead to seven when completing a double on Spartacus and Leinster Mills to bring his seasonal tally to 22.
Aidan O'Brien has not quite dominated two-year-old events so far this season as in recent years, but Spartacus still provided the Ballydoyle trainer with his sixth individual juvenile winner (from 13 races) in 2002 when taking the May EBF Maiden in good style.
The Danehill full-brother to Johan Cruyff struck the front over a furlong out, and stretched clear in the closing stages to beat Akanti by three lengths.
Kinane doubled up on Leinster Mills in the Thomastown Handicap, running on strongly when switched to the inner in the final furlong to beat Bought Direct by three-quarters-of-a-length. 'Mick gave her a great drive, and she was a bit unlucky at the Curragh last time where she had to be switched three times. She may run again at Cork on Friday,' said trainer Pat Hughes.
The result remained unaltered after a stewards enquiry into possible interference in the closing stages among the placed horses, but Rachel Costello was given a five day suspension for careless riding on third placed Hereforagoodtime.
The Carberry family recorded a notable double when Paul and his younger sister Nina were successful aboard Beachcomber Bay and Spirit Dancer respectively.
'She's better than Paul!' quipped Ger Lyons after Nina (17) notched up her second success on Spirit Dancer in the Gowran Park Ladies Handicap. Feel The Pride set a strong gallop in this mile-and-three-quarters event, but Ms Carberry judged the pace to perfection in producing Spirit Dancer to lead inside the final furlong to beat Kramer by two lengths.
Paul got a dream ride up the inner at the final bend on Beachcomber Bay to readily justified odds-on support in division one of the Rover Kilkenny Novice Hurdle. 'He's finished now for the season, and will go chasing next term. He jumps hurdles well, and should make a fine chaser,' said trainer Noel Meade.
Masani was sent off the 2/5 favourite for the Ormonde Maiden having twice filled third spot behind Century City this term, and he duly landed the odds with the minimum of fuss. Fran Berry's mount made all, and stayed on well in the straight to beat Sadinga by three lengths.
'He was entitled to win that, and had been running as if he wanted further than a mile. We may not pull him out again too soon as he's had three quick races,' said trainer John Oxx. The Currabeg handler also outlined his Irish Guineas plans saying, 'Ahsanabad didn't seem to stay the ten furlongs in the Derby Trial last Sunday, and may go for the 2,000 Guineas. Barring Order had a slight setback but is back in training now, and she's my one for the 1,000.'
Favourite backers were also on the mark in division two of the novice hurdle where Four Aces asserted before the final flight for Barry Geraghty to beat Sir Onside by a-length-and-a-half.
Alan Magee
