FOR only the third time since it was inaugurated in 1994, the Listed Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes went for export as the Tom Dascombe-trained Sir Boris relished the deteriorating conditions to claim this five-runner affair.

A dual winner on soft ground this season, Sir Boris was always likely to enjoy the easing ground, which was changed to yielding after the first race on the card, and he had no trouble making light of his position as a 14/1 choice. Declan McDonogh made the running on the latest stakes winner from the impressive first crop of Due Diligence, and Sir Boris, who had the stand’s side rail to guide him home, rallied splendidly when he was joined by the Moyglare Stakes fourth Soul Search with well over a furlong to run.

The English raider was back in the outright lead inside the distance and went on to defeat the aforementioned market leader by a length and a half.

“He moved beautifully on the ground and he battled well. It was a help having the stand’s side rail as the ground is very chewed up on the inside,” said the rider. “Everyone in the race was wanting to sit in so I was aware that I might be stealing a few lengths if I made the running. The race worked out lovely.”

Ben Coen remains on course for another strong showing in the apprentice rider’s championship as he made it 25 victories for the season on Silver Spear, trained by his uncle Andy Slattery, in the six-furlong nursery.

Ben Coen is a strong contender in the apprentice rider’s championship \ Healy Racing

In the colours of the Delphi Six Syndicate, who also raced her Group 2-winninng half-sister Creggs Pipes, the daughter of Clodovil made a race winning move when skipping clear of the field with over a furlong to run. This enabled her to withstand the late charge of Camachita by a head and could have set her up for a tilt at next month’s Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas.

The durable Pillar (8/1) took his race record to four wins from 70 starts in the BetVictor-sponsored 45-65 rated six-furlong handicap which left Adrian McGuinness just two winners shy of his previous best tally for a season. McGuinness sent out 21 winners in 2006 but could well surpass that total after he made it 19 victories for a campaign which is close to yielding an impressive half a million euros in prize money. For his part, the Sean Gallagher-owned and Shane Foley-ridden Pillar turned in a brave display having been on the pace throughout.

Pillar and Shane Foley won for trainer Ado McGuinness and son Tadhg \ Healy Racing