The Craine family stole the limelight at Navan yesterday, with Stephen and his son Stephen John both riding winners.
Stephen John (18), who was sidelined last winter when breaking his shoulder and jaw, partnered his second winner but first since turning professional when Goldnecu took the Duleek Maiden Hurdle in style. The Frances Crowley-trained gelding led two out for a 15-length success from Georgies Best.
Sita has the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Budweiser Irish Derby weekend as her main target after an impressive victory under Craine senior in the featured EBF Fillies Race.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained grey made all and stretched clear a furlong out to beat the odds-on Karsavina by nine lengths.
"We decided to make the running as we know she stays," said Prendergast.
Pugin belied a lack of market confidence to make a winning debut in the Curraghboy Maiden. Lady Clague's home bred Darshaan colt, out of Irish Oaks third Gothic Dream, struck the front well over a furlong out and kept on well.
Meanwhile, Dromhale Lady landed the £17,000 paddypower.com Handicap Chase at Cork yesterday for 76-year-old owner Donie Sheahan. The grey mare outpaced Change The Script from the final fence and will now be aimed at September's Kerry National at Listowel.
Keevers may turn out again at Fairyhouse next Sunday after defying top-weight in the Carbon Group Handicap Hurdle for the Express Racing Syndicate. The Commanche Run gelding was produced with a well-timed challenge by amateur Pat Crowley to collar U Jump I Jump close home.
Earlshill Song is another in line for a quick reappearance after taking the Tralee Novice Handicap Hurdle with plenty in hand. Eamonn Sheehy's seven-year-old is a possible for Wexford on Friday.
The all-flat card at Cork on Saturday was predictably poorly supported by both trainers and punters alike, but Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen took full advantage to land trebles.
Smullen was seen at his very best when just getting Lunardi home in the Buttevant Maiden. The well-backed 4 to 1 chance appeared to have little or no chance early in the straight, but under a tremendous drive, led close home to beat Pro Dancer by a short-head.
Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Castle Gandolfo made a pleasing debut in the EBF Maiden when comfortably beating the more experienced Marionnaud.
"He is a lovely horse, but was a little green today having never been away from home before. He will be entered in all the Group races", said the winning trainer.
Wet weather is once again playing havoc with racing's fixture list with today's card at Windsor abandoned and meetings later in the week under threat.
Heavy rain has put Ascot's meeting on Wednesday, which features the Sony Victoria Cup, in doubt.
Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said yesterday: "We had 15mm of rain yesterday and the going is heavy, waterlogged in places. We've had a hell of a lot of rain and we have one or two bad patches.
