REBEL Diamond continued on an upward curve for Natalia Lupini when landing the Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse on Monday.

The well-backed Cotai Glory colt secured his hat-trick when taking the listed contest over six furlongs.

Billy Lee produced the 4/1 shot to lead inside the final furlong and he held the late charge of One Smack Mac by three parts of a length to score in the colours of Nigel O’Hare.

The trainer’s partner Craig Bryson said afterwards: “He has a good attitude, travels well and quickens well. Billy said he won as he liked there today and we’re happy that there is more to come.

“We’ll have a look and see but he’s had plenty of racing this year. He’s probably for sale so that’s a nice one to pick up.”

No worries

Lee had also been on the mark earlier when partnering Una Matata to success for trainer Chris Timmons in the Kilminfoyle House Stud Maiden.

The 8/15 shot Declaree attempted to make all in the seven-furlong contest but was chased down late on by the Mehmas filly, who got up close home for a half-length success.

“She ran very well (when fourth) in Roscommon where the ground was probably a bit slow for her,” said Timmons.

“She was a bit fresh and gassy then. Gary Carroll rode her that day and he thought he was going to run a big race turning in but she just took a blow. He felt she’d improve a lot for it. I’m delighted for Joanne (Lavery, owner) who works very hard.”

THE beautifully-bred Ballydoyle filly Sweet Chariot opened her account in the La Bucca Restaurants Nursery Handicap.

Wayne Lordan was at work turning for home on the Wootton Bassett filly but the 9/2 shot found her feet inside the final furlong to get on top close home and beat South Shore Island by half a length.

“I jumped to go forward from the wide draw but I couldn’t get in and I had to sit where I was but when I straightened up I hit the line well,” said Lordan.

“I think she’ll have no problem stepping up a furlong and she’ll come forward again. She’s been running very respectably in nice maidens so it was nice to get her head in front.”

Late run

Blanc De Noir was another to get up late when landing the concluding handicap over the same six-furlong trip.

Rory Mulligan was towards the back turning for home on the Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding but he flew home inside the final furlong to get up for a half-length success at odds of 15/2.

Murtagh said: “It was a long time coming, he’s been a bit frustrating but it just fell right for him today.

“He’s a horse that probably needs a fast pace, for them to die in front of him and come over the top. Rory gave him a peach of a ride and it all worked out well.”

THE Michael Grassick-trained Loingseoir bounced back to winning ways when clinging to victory late on in the Treo Eile Handicap.

Danny Sheehy got a lovely run up the rail to lead inside the final furlong and the 11/1 shot held on at the post as Fivecromwellplace finished off strongly to get within a head.

“He just got away with the ground. I actually drove up this morning to walk it with my wife Roisin,” said Grassick.

“In fairness to Fairyhouse, they do a great job watering here, he just wants a bit of juice because he’s a very heavy shouldered horse.

“He’s been dropping down, it’s nearly two years since he’s won and it’s been a frustrating year. He’s hopefully going to start getting his ground in the next couple of weeks.”

Well-timed

The John Kinsella-trained Bellaphina also came with a well-timed charge to land the spoils in the €20,000 fillies handicap.

James Ryan produced the James Garfield filly with a strong surge to get to the front inside the final furlong and record a three-parts-of-a-length win over Byzantine Empress.

The 8/1 winner was recording her third career victory and Kinsella said: “Better ground today helped and James didn’t get there as soon. He didn’t know her the last day, when she gets to the front she stops.

“He played it really well today and she quickened up nicely. We think a lot of her and hopefully she can still improve.”

Across the card

Alan McIntyre recorded the first leg of an across-the-card double when Moonhall Church ran out a cosy winner of the opening claimer over seven furlongs.

Colin Keane was prominent throughout on the 16/5 shot and the Ruth McCreery-owned filly went on over a furlong out for a two-and-a-quarter length win over Allenwood.

“She got the trip well. It’s great to get the champion jockey,” said McIntyre.

“When she jumped first I thought she was going to be a bit keen. She winged the gates, as she always does, but he dropped her in and gave her a peach.”

McIntyre sent out Soaring Monarch to win a valuable handicap down in Listowel 55 minutes later.

There were no claims after the race.