BIRDMAN (9/4) is now two from two after keeping on best in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes over one mile and five furlongs at Navan for a very in-form Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.

Foley rode the Anamoine Limited representative into a challenging position a quarter of a mile out and the pair led a furlong and a half down. The Free Eagle gelding kept on nicely to come in by two and a quarter lengths.

Harrington said: “It was a lovely run and it was great to see. It was only the second run of his life and we are delighted. He’s a great big baby and he’s only a frame of a horse. He’s still a work in progress.

“Most likely he’ll go for the Queen’s Vase at Ascot, that’s the plan. We thought he would take the jump in class in his stride.”

Billy Lee rode a double on the card which began on Sounds Like A Plan (5/1) in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for juveniles.

The grey son of Night Of Thunder showed a willing attitude to sweep home by three lengths after hitting the front at the furlong pole.

Andy Oliver trained the colt to victory for owner Francis Campbell, and said: “He was slightly green just when he was out on his own but, apart from that, very straightforward. Billy was very happy with him, so delighted with the performance.

“There is the Marble Hill next week, but it might be a bit quick to come back. You never know, we will see.

“He has been engaged in the Railway Stakes, obviously with the possibility of going across the water.”

Leading Lady

Amazon Lady availed of a drop in class to strike in the Bellinter Handicap over five furlongs for Lee who sported Ms Madeline Burns’ colours.

She disputed the lead from the outset and led narrowly at halfway. Harry’s Hill came with his challenge over a furlong out, but the 11/1 winner fended him off by half a length.

Trainer Willie McCreery said: “She’s probably three weeks in foal now to New Bay, so that helped her. I’ve never seen her as relaxed, she looked fantastic and is thriving this year.

“She’s a big mare and just took her time to come to hand. I just wanted to get a win to her to pay for her entries for the year.

“The Burns’ have no interest in handicaps, they just want to get blacktype for her. The handicapper dropped her a few pounds, so I said to try and get a handicap to pay for her entries because she might have to go to England.”

Veteran Stanhope rallied to get up on the line in the Flower Hill Apprentice Handicap for John McConnell and the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate.

Keithen Kennedy drove the 7/1 shot up by a short-head and said: “He’s a great old horse and has been knocking on the door the last twice - he really deserved it there today.

“I’m not sure why he likes Navan so much, I think it suits him because he hits a little bit of a flat spot in his race and the downhill run suits him.”

STURLASSON (15/2) made all under Declan McDonogh and scorched his rivals by three lengths in the Navan Racecourse Maiden over five furlongs for the Knobel McGrath Partnership.

Kieran Cotter said: “His work during the week was spectacular. He skipped along there and he loved it. It was a real professional performance and I’m delighted.

“We’ll see what happens, the lads are saying they might go for the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap in Royal Ascot on the Friday.”

Global Export, 7/2 joint-favourite, relished a staying test in division 1 of the Troytown Bar Handicap over a mile and five furlongs.

Robert Whearty’s mount made headway into the straight and the pair progressed to lead with a furlong and a half to travel. They kept on well to come in by a length for owner Eddie Buggle.

Gavin Cromwell said: “The long straight suits him and Dollar Value in there probably helped as well, they went a right good gallop.

“It is not coming out of turn either. It is a while since he has won and he has been running consistently well and the handicapper, I suppose rightly, hasn’t been dropping him.”

Debut success

El C Wells made a winning start to life with Paul Mulligan in division 2 of the Troytown Bar Handicap.

Robbie Colgan produced the six-year-old mare to lead in the final 100 yards and she was able to withstand the favourite Gracesolution’s late thrust by a neck at 28/1 for the Dundara Syndicate.

Mulligan said: “I only have her a few weeks, that’s a nice mare. A few people had problems with her out on gallops, but she’s as sweet as a nut at the minute anyway. We brought her over to the beach the other day and let her paddle around the water, and she seemed in great form.”

Donnacha O’Brien’s Lady Doris won a final-furlong battle with Naturally Nimble to land the Book Your Summer BBQ On June 8th Maiden over an extended mile and a quarter.

After steering the 11/2 chance home by a head, jockey Gavin Ryan said: “We fancied her coming here today - we knew she would go on the ground real well and see out the trip good.

“I’ve had to kick on and she has been plenty green and idled plenty, but I think she was a good winner at the line. She was never getting beaten.”

She took the honours for Mrs Treasa O’Loughlin and Mrs M.V. Magnier.