Racing/Leopardstown report: Kevin Prendergast has a date with some overseas race programmes after Abunawwas battled his way to victory in last night's Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown.
It was a fourth success from just 10 career starts for the classy colt who made his mark in Group Three company last year.
Because of that he had to give weight to all bar the joint favourite D'Anjou yesterday but that didn't stop Abunawwas travelling smoothly throughout and holding off Napper Tandy by a neck.
Another result of that Group Three Ballycorus Stakes victory is that Prendergast is hoping to find some high level targets outside Ireland before the season is out.
"He can't handle it too firm so he is not even entered at Ascot but I'll be looking at some races in France, Germany or Italy towards the back end.
"He's already won his Group Three so we'll see if there's a Group Two or maybe even a Group One for him somewhere," said the Curragh trainer.
Just a head behind in third was Fearn Royal but there was an objection from Robbie Burke, the jockey on the fourth Latino Magic, to the runner- up that was over-ruled by the stewards.
Fearn Royal's trainer Peter Casey didn't waste any time getting consolation for that narrow defeat as Palace Star beat off Noahs Ark and the favourite I Like The Theatre in a finish of necks to the mile handicap.
Michael Kinane dominated both divisions of the seven furlong maiden, kicking off with an ultra-smooth success on the odds on Dolce Volce.
Racing in the colours of the Turf Club senior steward Pierce Molony, Dolce Volce kicked clear early in the straight and was never threatened.
"Maybe the opposition wasn't great but she had the form to win and we will see what rating she gets before seeing about a handicap," said trainer John Oxx.
"She wouldn't like the ground too fast though."
Eddie Lynam was in more ebullient form after the Stakes placed Dangle broke her maiden under a typically confident Kinane ride.
The champion jockey was determined to wait as long as possible and only sent the favourite a length clear well inside the final furlong.
A relieved Lynam said: "It's a good job the Racing Post don't do hot and cold trainers in Ireland because I've been as cold as a witch's tit!"
Aidan O'Brien saddled his eighth individual juvenile winner of the season when Amsterdam narrowly justified long odds on in the opening maiden.
Fifth on his debut at York, Amsterdam's experience was critical to his half length success over the newcomer King Of Troy who ran on well despite showing clear signs of greenness.
Oriental Ben's two previous career victories had come over nine furlongs but he successfully dropped back to seven to make virtually all in the Somerville Handicap.
The half brother to the double-Derby and Breeders Cup winner High Chaparral was a length and a half too good for Lady Guest under a strong drive from Davy Condon.
Arch Stanton, the favourite for the two mile handicap, found disappointingly little when produced in the straight and it was market rival Blue Away who emerged best under a strong Jamie Spencer drive.
"He needed every yard of that and we'll run him in staying races on the flat and over hurdles during the summer," said trainer Pat Hughes. "He won at Galway last year so we'll probably go back."
