NOT for the first time in, recent years, the Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes produced an unlikely result. Yesterday's Group One at Leopardstown was won decisively by the Jim Bolger-trained second string Mantovani, a 20 to 1 chance. Ridden by Conor Everard and favourably drawn on the far rails, the Treasure Kay colt clearly was better equipped to handle the dead ground than his rivals.

Mantovani suffered sore shins after narrowly landing the odds in his maiden over the course on his previous appearance and has only been back in serious work for three weeks. His trainer didn't think he was as good as the stable's filly, Azra, who could finish only sixth after causing some interference in the closing stages to the eventual runner-up Muchea.

"But I knew he would handle the ground. I had planned to run him in the Anglesea Stakes but plans will now have to be changed," said Bolger.

Mrs Chryss O'Reilly's Verglas was all the rage, but the Coventry Stakes winner was not smartly away and was always struggling albeit doing his best work at the finish to finish third, a head behind Muchea.

"I thought he would go on the ground, but it doesn't look that way now," said Verglas's disappointed trainer, Kevin Prendergast, who believes he will do better over seven furlongs if not a mile.

The Richard Hughes-partnered Muchea was squeezed over a furlong out, "but for which he would have won", according to his handler Mick Channon, who will run the colt in a Group Two at Baden-Baden, followed by the Middle Park Stakes.

Ocean Ridge was well away with Raphane, but gave best a furlong out as Mantovani saw daylight on the inside and went for his race.

Raphane also ran well but did not appear to stay the sixth furlong - at least not on the ground.

The filly, Star Profile, was never in the hunt but ran on to finish fifth. "She needs further and better ground," said Dermot Weld, who will run her in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

The handicapper Daring Destiny compensated Richard Hughes, if not the punters, when winning the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes by a head from compatriot Farhana.

The first runner in this country for Wantage trainer Karl Burke, whose parents hail from Kilkenny, Daring Destiny dwelt in the stalls and lost some lengths, but came home strongly. He, too, is bound for Baden-Baden.

Aidan O'Brien introduced a very promising filly in Menja, who showed no signs of greenness when beating the well-regarded Poised To Rally by a length and a half in the opening Blackhorse Maiden, the duo finishing well clear of their rivals.

Menja led on the inside two furlongs out and ran on well for Christy Roche. She reverts to seven furlongs for the listed Debutante Stakes over this course a week next Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien completed a double when Cashel Princess and Seamus Heffernan got the better of Hisar in a good finish to the Mongey Communications Race.

Michael Kinane and Declan Quirke were lucky to escape serious injury in a horrific-looking incident inside the last furlong of the European Breeders Fund Handicap. Diamond Display, ridden by Quirke, was behind the leading batch when appearing to clip into the heels of Meglio Che Posso and, falling, brought down Munif. Kinane fell heavily from Munif, suffering concussion and a bruised left elbow. He was stood down for 48 hours and was sent for X-rays to his elbow.

The race was won by the lightweight, Samakaan, who battled back on the inner in the last few strides to head Taklif.

Kinane had earlier won the Circle Paints Handicap on Easy Definition, who arrived with his challenge inside the distance to swear down Timourid.

Nina Kauntze landed her first winner, on Dance Academy, in the Johnstone Paints Ladies Handicap. The winner looked beaten after leading from seven furlongs out but rallied on the inside in the closing stages to beat Soft Spot by a length.

Despite counter attractions, the meeting attracted 7,000, some 400 up on last year. The tote was up £30,000 and bookmaker betting was lively. The Jackpot was not won and the pool of £26,000 will be carried forward.