Holy Orders, second to Prix Ganay hope Black Sam Bellamy at Leopardstown late last month, had little difficulty in going one better when running out a facile winner of the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan yeaterday.
A 3/1 chance, Holy Orders came from off the last to first in the straight and headed the front-running favourite Bowmore over a furlong home. He pulled away to win from Crimphill with outsider Really running on for third.
Willie Mullins said of his three-time course winner, 'He goes well for Davy and I am delighted with that. He could now go to Punchestown next week for either the Stayers' Hurdle or the Champion. He will then be trained for Royal Ascot and could run in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown next month.'
Kurlicue showed the benefit of a previous run at the Curragh when landing the Tattersalls (Ireland) Auction Maiden in the hands of Declan McDonogh.
Third to the highly promising Alexander Goldrun earlier this month, Kurlicue was pushed all the way to the line by newcomer Charmed Forest who failed by just a short-head under a Michael Kinane drive.
McDonogh and his boss Kevin Prendergast followed up later when Definate Spectacle ran away with the Webster Handicap. The son of Spectrum won by an easy three lengths and will now be aimed at something similar, according to Prendergast.
The consistent Brigadier Monty was finally rewarded when coming out on top in a blanket finish to the sprint handicap.
Ger Lyons, who was among the winners at Tipperary on Thursday with De Tiger, saw his filly win by a head from top-weight Elbeo's Dream with the gambled-on Ridyan a close fourth.
The result saw 21-year-old Tadhg O'Shea, last season's champion apprentice, lose his claim as he was riding his 95th winner. O'Shea rode his first winner in September, 1999.
Pat Martin, who was on the mark twice at Tipperary, landed the Celebrity Personality EBF Handicap with Dee-One-O-One who may bid to follow up over fences at Punchestown next Saturday.
The apprentice handicap, run in the heaviest of hail showers, was marred by the fatal fall of Next Parish. Thankfully, his rider Brian Carey, and James Brennan who was unlucky enough to be unseated from Audrey's Light as a result of the incident, both escaped injury.
The race was won in fine style by the aptly-named Raining who was ridden for trainer Tom McCourt by David Moran.
