Young Ruler Of The World mare Monas Melody upstaged some better known rivals to win the Gap Of Dunloe (Q.R.) Maiden at Killarney.

Odds-on favourite Jesse Evans was too keen for his own good and ended up finishing fourth, and up front the Pa King-ridden Monas Melody saw off Magic Tricks by two and a half lengths.

The runner-up had been bidding to supplement Denise Foster’s earlier Downpatrick hat-trick, whilst ten-year-old Snugsborough Hall ran well to be third.

"She is very good and came on a lot from the last day. She has got black-type already in bumpers and while that (1m6f) would be her bare minimum, she could get black-type on the flat too if she got a longer race,” said winning trainer Sam Curling.

"Pa gave her a great ride, he rides lots of our point to pointers and it is great he got a winner there.

"I'm not sure what to do next - she could go for the 2m5f maiden hurdle at Galway but I'll speak to Alfie (Sweetnam, owner) as she is still for sale. I always thought she wanted softer ground but she seems very at home on that and we'll keep her going for the summer."

(TW & EM)