RACING: Ballydoyle has been a Classic-free zone in 2004 but both Footstepsinthesand and Grand Central showed enough at Leopardstown yesterday to indicate it could be odds against about a repeat in 2005.

The latter's four-length winning debut in the seven-furlong maiden was enough for Paddy Power to start scattering 25 to 1 quotes for next year's Epsom Derby.

But Footstepsinthesand earned some fancy prices of his own for both the Derby and the 2,000 Guineas with an eye-catching victory in the Kilavullan Stakes.

Grey Swallow won the Group Three feature 12 months ago and the Irish Derby winner's stable companion Gaff was the only one to make Footstepsinthesand stretch out in the straight.

He still came up two lengths short, however, and the O'Brien-trained winner is now as low as 16 to 1 for next year's 2,000 Guineas as well as 20 to 1 for Epsom.

"He's a serious horse, always has been, and he will love fast ground. Jamie (Spencer) said he gave him an unbelievable feel," said O'Brien who trained the winner's sire, Giant's Causeway.

"He's very like his dad. He won the Prix Salamandre the same way, just lazing along in front, and I remember Mick (Kinane) saying he was serious. Jamie is saying exactly the same," O'Brien added.

Grand Central, a son of the Coronation winner Rebecca Sharp, overcame obvious inexperience to justify very short odds and a tall reputation. "He's never been away but he could be anything. A lovely horse," was the O'Brien verdict.

The trainer also took the opening maiden with the apparent second string Full Moon Tonight but his Trigo Stakes favourite Bywayofthestars was beaten half a mile out as Cairdeas posted an impressive win in the listed contest. Racing in the Presidential colours, Cairdeas had it won early in the straight and earned himself the chance of a four-year-old career.

Kevin Prendergast notched a 51st winner of the season with Mustameet in the mile maiden.