SPANISH Steps could be seen next in the Great Voltigeur at York after causing a surprise when making all the running to give trainer Aidan O'Brien a one-two in the Group 3 Grenke Finance Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Seamie Heffernan was really positive from the outset on the 6/1 chance and had opened up a commanding lead as the field turned for home.

Ryan Moore on 4/5 favourite Johannes Vermeer clawed back the majority of the advantage, but Spanish Steps was too strong in the final furlong and kept on well to score by half a length.

O'Brien said: "We always liked him and felt he would be comfortable at a mile and a half. We always thought he would be comfortable on nice ground. We were going to go to Goodwood and then the ground changed.

"He's a bit green and babyish, but is a good colt. Seamie was happy to go along, and we would see if Johannes Vermeer was able to pick him up. He was getting a lot of weight.

"Seamie gave him a very good ride. He was left alone in front and was gone turning in. He could go for the Voltigeur next at York.

"Johannes Vermeer could go down to Australia for a race there."

PROMISE

Dermot Weld saddled his fifth winner in as many days when Espoir D'Soleil confirmed the promise of her debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

A fair fifth at Galway on her first outing, the daughter of Galileo was backed into 5/2 favouritism before the off and put the race to bed a furlong from home by streaking into the lead.

Dochasach tried to give chase, but Pat Smullen drove Espoir D'Soleil home for a length-and-a-half success.

Landshark produced a taking performance on his debut to lead home a first and third for trainer Jessica Harrington in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Seemingly stuck in a pocket as the leaders battled it out a furlong from home, the 4/1 chance got some space under Colm O'Donoghue and flew home to beat Sappho by half a length, with stablemate Sneem third.

Harrington said: ""He was bought at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale by Eamonn Reilly. He was an expensive horse (€210,000) and it's nice when they come out and win first time. He's a gorgeous horse.

"He will probably be a seven-furlong horse but we started him over six, having come from the Breeze-Up, in case he was a bit free.

"Colm said he was always going to get out and he didn't want to bustle him. He wanted him to have a really nice experience today which he did."

READ THE FULL LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD