Sam Curling’s Klassy posted arguably the gamest performance of the weekend by recording a tenacious front-running success in the Jim Edwards Restaurant & Bar, Kinsale ladies open.

Also successful at Inchydoney the previous Sunday, Klassy (3/1) was bounced out in front and the winning of the race came when Rachel Blackmore sent the veteran into a commanding advantage on the descent to the fourth last.

This season’s leading horse The Hollinwell moved ever closer approaching the third last where the leader erred.

One sensed however that it would always prove hard work for The Hollinwell from there and so it proved. While Klassy’s stride began to shorten on the approach to the final fence where he blundered, the odds-on favourite wasn’t really able to capitalise as the line came in time for the winner who held on to score by a half-length on what was his 64th start. There was a 15-length break back to Long Strand in third spot.

“This horse just comes alive at this time of the year. We’ll obviously leave him off now and if he’s showing the same level of enthusiasm, we will come back again in the autumn,” said Curling of his father Peter’s Klassy.

The handler also sent thanks to Sharon Dunphy and Alan Ryan for keeping the show on the road at Skehanagh when he was away at the sales in Britain over the previous two weeks.

Donnchadh Doyle’s newcomer Mr Mountain impressed by carrying the familiar Monbeg Syndicate colours to an easy debut success in the Zurich Life four-year-old maiden.

With the favourite Jajamcool leading from the third fence, the eventual winner was held up well off the pace by Harley Dunne and he only started to get closer from three out.

One by one his rivals fell away and Mr Mountain (4/1) eased up to the pacesetter on the run to the final fence going by in a matter of strides.

Mr Mountain, out of a half-sister to three-time winner Minella For Steak, duly stormed clear to beat Jajamcool by five lengths and by doing so, he was providing handler Doyle with his sixth individual four-year-old winner of the campaign.

Veteran owner/breeder Michael O’Donoghue had an afternoon to savour as he welcomed back two winners, both of whom were partnered by the weekend’s leading rider Mikey O’Connor with Knockraha Prince getting the ball rolling in the Good Fish Processing, Carrigaline winners of two.

The Pat O’Connor-trained Knockraha Prince (9/4) moved past the pacesetting A Blow In before four out and the recent Ballindenisk confined hunt maiden victor had Ballyadeen for company from the second last.

Ballyadeen hit the front at the final fence but Knockraha Prince is as tough as they come and the confirmed fast-ground specialist re-assumed command early on the flat to beat Ballyadeen by a length.

“This horse is improving the whole time and we will run him away on good ground for the summer. Maybe, he’s a horse that will be best over two and a half miles,” said handler O’Connor of Knockraha Prince.

O’Donoghue, accompanied by sons Benjy and Joker, were back in the number one slot following the battling victory of the James Sheehan-trained Agirlfromknockraha in the first division of the Standard Life six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Agirlfromknockraha (6/1) showed quite good form earlier in the season and she was destined for second spot when falling at the last at Tallow in February.

Her form was a trifle in and out since then. The fitting of cheekpieces though had the desired effect here and she held a fractional advantage over Apintforthedriver from the penultimate obstacle.

It was virtually nip and tuck between the pair from there except that the Knockraha homebred had the upper hand as the line approached, a neck being the winning margin.

Ballyhea-based owner/trainer David Lynch saddled his first winner courtesy of the improving Printing Blue in the Sean Cusack Insurances & Christy Buckley Auctioneer six-year-old geldings’ maiden, the race that attracted biggest field of the day in 16 starters.

A dual runner-up at Curraheen and Bartlemy last month, Printing Blue (4/1) edged ever closer on the ascent from three out to hold every chance in fourth at the second last.

Closer again coming to the final fence where leader Ciarans Oscar fell fatally when holding a slender advantage, Printing Blue stormed to the fore on the flat for talented 5lb claimer Jimmy O’Rourke to dismiss Weve Got Company by one and three quarter lengths. Like Sully, who was hampered at the final fence, returned a further eight lengths adrift in third spot.

Like Sully’s handler Denis Leahy’s sister Jeanette Riordan struck with Lol Jk in the first division of the six-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

Lol Jk (2/1), already a model of consistency this term being placed on four out of her five starts, tracked customary frontrunner Another Discovery for most of the journey until jumping past three out.

It was all plain sailing from there as Lol Jk powered clear with Rob James to slam the consistent Another Discovery by a comprehensive seven lengths in the colours of her handler’s daughter Jessica.

Colman Sweeney, having just his second mount of the weekend, combined with his father Rodger to collect the second division of the MC & S Agri Sales Ltd & Egans Sight & Hearing Specialists, Cork seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden with Wakynama.

Bobby Cullen led before four out and with Wakynama (4/5) challenging for the lead at the second last and then asserting, Roisin Hickey’s charge soon had no more to give.

Neilly Reilly went second inside the final 50 yards, but he was still some one and three quarter lengths adrift of the winner at the line. Handler Sweeney intimated that his wife Joan’s Wakynama will now be aimed at a beginners chase.

Ramsgrange native Conor Murphy, who already has two hurdle victories to his credit, partnered his initial points winner aboard Native Que, whom he also owns and trains, in the first division of this contest.

Native Que (6/1), having just a fourth career start, set sail for home at the sixth last. The initiative reaped rich dividends as the son of Revoque, who ran with cheekpieces, bravely maintained the momentum in the closing stages to fight off Rare Visson by one and a half lengths.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

BALLYADEEN (Kevin O’Sullivan): This son of King’s Theatre created a hugely-favourable impression by sluicing home under a confident Mikey O’Connor on winter ground at Templenacarriga in January. He then ran below par in the pointers bumper at Gowran Park in March. Reappearing in the winners of two, he really put it up to Knockraha Prince, only going down by a length. He clearly handles all type of terrain and with his turn of foot, he just could be the type to slot in over hurdles at some stage.