MOONLIGHT Magic showed his true colours with a stirring success in the Group 3 ICON Meld Stakes at Leopardstown.

Since winning the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at this venue in the spring of 2016, the Jim Bolger-trained colt had performed well in top company without actually managing to get his head in front.

He had another high-class opponent to beat in the nine-furlong contest, with Tattersalls Gold Cup and Queen Anne third Deauville a shade of odds-on, and Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old set the pace.

Moonlight Magic (5/1) tracked him but didn't seem to be going as well two furlongs out, only to respond to all of Kevin Manning's urgings and after drawing alongside in the final furlong, he got the better of the argument by a head.

"He was in really good form coming into tonight," said Bolger. "I was telling myself that if he didn't win this evening, I can't win with him. We've had a good run over the last few weeks and that makes all the difference.

"He's run good races at lots of places and the only bad one was in the Derby. He obviously didn't handle Epsom and might not have been at the top of his game at that time.

"He's getting back there and hopefully we can bag a better one before the year is out."

When asked if he could run in the Irish Champion Stakes, Bolger said: "He's good enough to take part and ran well in it last year.

"He dug deep tonight and doesn't really mind the ground, he goes on any ground. The Royal Whip could be a possible for him."

There were three three-year-olds in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes and Wild Irish Rose came out on top as they dominated the finish.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained 7/4 favourite, who had been partnered in each of her nine previous starts by the sidelined Ana O'Brien, was taking a big step up in class after landing a Fairyhouse handicap and was anchored in rear by Seamie Heffernan.

She was brought wide to make her challenge but ate into the lead held by Tilly's Chilli and Wingingit before scoring a shade cosily by half a length from Wingingit.

This win completed a double for O'Brien and Heffernan as they had earlier struck with Battle Of Jericho who made it third-time lucky in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Having performed with credit in the maidens won by Lethal Steps and stablemate U S Navy Flag, the son of War Front was sent off the 4/5 favourite and was bounced straight into the lead.

Newcomer Impactful was in close attendance until Battle Of Jericho eased away early in the straight, leaving fellow debutant Man Power to throw down the most serious challenge, but Battle Of Jericho always looked in control and crossed the line with a length in hand.

"He ran a lovely race here on his first run and then he ran a good race at the Curragh the last day," said Heffernan. "I had a good draw and he won well. He was idling and he has a lot of ability. "

Mattymolls Gaga was a couple of places behind Battle Of Jericho when fifth on his debut but derived enough benefit from it to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The 7/2 shot helped cut out the pace with Poetic Light and after seeing off that rival, then held the late charge of The Broghie Man by three-quarters of a length.

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