TOAST THE SPREECE landed the first major handicap of the new campaign, the Go Racing In Kildare Irish Lincolnshire, on a day when the headquarters of Irish racing unveiled the first stage of its £4 million development plan.

The £30,000 feature provided trainer Aidan O'Brien and rider Andy Nolan with their first success in the race after the five-year-old held the challenge of Silvian Bliss, the 3 to 1 favourite, and Nakayama Express by a neck and a head in a thrilling finish.

Michael Kinane got Silvian Bliss into top gear in the closing stages but he could not peg back the winner.

O'Brien said: "I thought he was a bit unlucky when just caught on the line at Tipperary last Sunday and, although 8lb out of the handicap here, he was very fit from hurdling.

"Andy Nolan rode this horse according to instructions, producing him in the right place at the right time for us."

Toast The Spreece will now be sent back over hurdles later this month at Punchestown in the Country Pride Champion Novice Hurdle.

O'Brien earlier initiated a double when the Fairy King filly Flame Violet justified odds-on support in the first two-year-old race of the season, the Curragh EBF Maiden. Christy Roche sent her to the front before the furlong marker, and she was driven out to beat Northern Royal by three-quarters of a length.

She had a nice introduction and I will put her away now for about six weeks as she is still growing," said O'Brien.

It wasn't all good news for the O'Brien stable as the trainer reported that Saturday's disappointing Aintree runner Urabande is out for the rest of the season.

"Urubande's wind is troubling him, and he will have a soft palate operation now before getting a rest. The idea is to go chasing with him next season," he explained.

Declan Quirke (21) rode his eighth winner aboard Fine Project in the Madrid Handicap. But few punters were smiling afterwards as the Project Manager filly, the outsider of trainer Jim Bolger's two runners, was returned at 20 to

(£52.30 on the Tote).

The Coolcullen handler, who is already on the fifth winner mark for the new Flat season, later completed a double when Ciste proved an easy winner of the Maddenstown Maiden. Bolger indicated afterwards that she may be good enough to take her chance in the 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh next month.

Minister for Agriculture Ivan Yates officially opened the new facilities at the Curragh before racing. A total of £1.25 million was spent on a new pre-parade ring and saddling stalls and a plush entrance area. The new facilities were well received by racegoers and are the first fruits of the £30 million Irish Horseracing Authority's capital development programme.

Andre Fabre's Fragrant Mix continued his rousing start to the season by hacking up in the Group Two Prix Noailles at Longchamp yesterday. The 5 to 2 shot gave Thierry Jarnet an armchair ride and quickened up well going to the last quarter mile to win by three lengths from Sendoro.

Jarnet said: "There is no disputing that he was the fittest horse in the field but he was taking on a much better class of opposition than in his two previous starts this term