IN a display that was emblematic of her trainer’s season, Johnny Murtagh’s Champers Elysees turned in a stunning effort on her first outing at listed level to run out a seven-length winner of the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.

If there was any tinge of disappointment that an intended sale to America fell through there is surely none now amongst the connections of this Elzaam filly who could well be pattern class on this evidence.

On her second outing of the season and her first since winning a smart handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend, the Ben Coen-ridden Champers Elysees (15/8) showed a really impressive turn of foot approaching the straight to surge from fourth into the lead and she kept on strongly all the way to the line to defeat Auxilia by seven lengths.

“She was sold but there were a few technicalities and I said to them (the purchasers) that I was happy to keep her and that she was a good filly,” stated Murtagh. “I knew she was good but I thought she was a few weeks away from doing that as we’ve brought her along slowly. She’ll go for the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary next. It’s great for her owners, Fitzwilliam Racing, they’ve had some great days here in the past.”

Padraig Roche sent out his first festival winner when the reliable Walking On Glass (28/1) put a rare below-par effort in the Ladies Derby behind him to win the two-mile Latin Quarter Handicap.

Locally born jockey Leigh Roche conjured a sustained charge from his mount over the last couple of furlongs which carried the pair to a head success over Conron. A major gamble on Turnpike Trip, who was returned the 10/11 favourite, went astray here as he finished 14th. He was reported to be post-race normal.

“He’s put the last day behind him and otherwise he’s a very consistent horse and he was entitled to run well on his Navan win over Princess Zoe. He might go back over hurdles at Roscommon on Monday,” commented Roche.