A TILT at the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes is one option open to Warm The Voice after he continued on his upward curve by defying top weight in Listowel's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery Handicap.

The 7/4 favourite, who also holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry, stuck to his task well under Kevin Manning to hold the late thrust of Drombeg Dream by half a length to supplement wins at Galway and the Curragh.

Trainer Brendan Duke said: "He is absolute class and has a great mind and great big ticker. I had the best in the business riding him and I didn't need to be worrying.

"I'm a little bit concerned for Kevin going forward – he'll have to make a big decision next year between Warm The Voice and Verbal Dexterity in the Guineas, but that will be Kevin's problem!

"Do not underestimate how progressive he is and he is stepping up all the time. He wants better ground so it was a fabulous performance. He's a very unique animal in that he is getting paid for being educated.

"I'm going to take my time with him and might go to Naas (Birdcatcher) at the end of the month – it's been the plan since April – and the Beresford Stakes is also on the agenda."

HAYES DOUBLE

Eire Rock proved much too good for his Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden rivals to initiate a brace for Chris Hayes.

The jockey bustled the 5/4 favourite into an early lead before going further clear down the straight, passing the post with six lengths in hand of runner-up King Of Leinster.

"He is a lovely, straightforward horse and we always liked him. He probably needed the run on his first start but he has built on it and I think he's a horse with a future," said Hayes.

"I just kept it nice and simple and he quickened up good. His home work has been good. He's a lovely, big, strong horse, which you need in the conditions that are out there. It's hard work out there on two-year-olds."

Hayes followed up on the Hilary McLoughlin-trained Count Of Carabass in the Feale Handicap.

The 11/2 shot tackled the front-running Free To Roam approaching the furlong pole and although his opponent battled hard, Count Of Carabass proved a length and a quarter too strong.

Count Of Carabass also won this race three years ago, and McLoughlin said: "I love Listowel and obviously the horse likes Listowel too as it's his second time winning here.

"He won this race in 2014 on good to firm, and on heavy today, so it tells you how versatile and genuine he is. He just needed a bit of luck all year and I'm delighted he waited for Listowel to win as it's nicer to win here than anywhere else. That's three races Chris has won on him now."

Classic Theatre made a successful start to her jumping career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead's five-year-old brought strong bumper form to the table and was fourth to Fayonagh in a listed contest in February, although she hadn't been seen since scoring at Tramore in April.

Never too far from the pace, she cruised to the front at the penultimate obstacle and Andrew Lynch didn't have to get too serious for her to beat Osco Mosco by two and three-quarter lengths as the 11/10 favourite.

De Bromhead said: "The ground was a worry and Andrew said she wasn't in love with it. She's a very nice mare and is from a good family including Joncol.

"She'll run next in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Tipperary in early October."

EMPHATIC

Spare Brakes (9/2) ran out an emphatic winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

British raider Newstart was in front swinging for home, but Spare Brakes was going ominously well in behind him and after Donal McInerney sent him to the front between the last two, he stretched three and three-quarter lengths away.

Trainer Robert Tyner said: "He only barely gets two miles but won very nicely and seemed to handle that ground well.

"Donie worked for me for a couple of years and, in fairness to him, he has come a long way. He was a nice, obliging lad and good around the yard but fair play to (new employer) Enda (Bolger) - he has taken him on the next step. Enda did a lot of work with him and built him up with confidence.

"He gave him a very patient ride. I told him to take his time and it played into his hands as they went extra fast in front."

Having made most of the running in the Tattersalls Ireland Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, Crocodile Dundee looked beaten when challenged by Cluan Dara at the last.

However, Bryan Cooper conjured another effort out of Tom Cooper's 15/2 chance and he battled back to a half-length success.

Intense Stylist sprung a 33-1 surprise in the Listowel Track Fillies Maiden for Albert and Keith Moriarty, making it 24th-time lucky by inflicting a three-and-a-half-length defeat on Alahida.

READ THE FULL REPORTS FROM THE LISTOWEL FESTIVAL IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD