Michael Kinane, whose appeal against the suspension which currently prevents him taking the mount on King George favourite Galileo will be heard tomorrow, was on the mark aboard Stonemason in the juvenile maiden at Naas.
The blue-blooded debutant drifted alarmingly prior to his debut in the 6f event, but the market vibes turned out to be misleading as he ultimately came home a comfortable winner.
Having opened at 1/3, Aidan O'Brien's charge touched 6/4 before winding up at 11/10, which looked good value as he passed the post 1 1/2 lengths clear of nearest pursuer Fashion Guide.
Mala Mala (4/6-6/4-5/4f), so often the bridesmaid in the past, finally got her turn in the 5f maiden to the relief of connections.
Blinkered for the first time, Tommy Stack's filly bounded clear up the centre of the track to record a five-length verdict over Button Down, and will now go for a Group 3 sprint at Leopardstown.
Wexford apprentice PJ McDonald opened his account under rules when guiding 7/1 shot Ventura to a 1 1/2 length success in the opening 1m apprentice race, in which 4/5 favourite Alexander Express proved a major disappointment.
The 19 year-old has been with trainer Charles O'Brien for 'four or five months', and his boss was understandably pleased with his efforts.
Balizac and Wayne Smith made every post a winning one in the 1m handicap at a summery Naas this evening.
The main talking point here was the gamble on Flitwick (20/1-7/1), but Eddie Ahern's mount could never get in a blow as Ger Lyons' top-weight saw off the staying-on favourite Dilara.
Rice's Hill gave owner/breeder Tony Battersby a welcome tonic when just holding the late surge of Quiet Millfit in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.
Trainer Oliver Finnegan revealed that a half-brother to the winner, also owned by Battersby, had been found dead in his box on Monday morning.
'This couldn't have come at a better time, and he may go for a 3m handicap at Galway next Thursday,' he added.
The well-bred Back In Front (4/1-3/1-7/2f) was ridden clear inside the final furlong to make a successful racecourse bow in the concluding bumper.
