ALEXIOS KOMNENOS completed a remarkable comeback story in the Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The Fozzy Stack-trained colt beat the odds in the Group 3 contest having only been given a slim chance last year of recovering from serious injury.

The son of Choisir had looked a smart prospect when pushing Churchill to a neck in the Tyros Stakes last season but injury struck after that run.

He reappeared with a fine third in the Celebration Stakes at the Curragh last month and built on that run to land a hot renewal of the Desmond Stakes.

Chris Hayes produced the 6/1 shot with a strong run inside the final furlong and he soon settled matters, going on for a length-and-a-half success. Music Box ran on to take the runner-up spot.

“He quickened up well. It’s amazing, with what he’s been through, to even be here today,” said Stack.

“A big thanks goes to the staff at home and every yet in O’Byrne and Halleys. It’s a wonder he’s here at all. They gave him a 10% chance of racing again.

“He had an infection in his hind suspensory. They had to split his suspensory to wash it out and get the infection out. They even flew special maggots over from England that fight infection.

“You try to keep suspensorys together never mind splitting them. When you scan it it’s still not pretty, it’s a mush.

“It was just an infection and it must have been something going around his system. There wasn’t a cut or a mark or anything.

“It happened just a week or 10 days before the National Stakes last year.

“If he’s still in one piece in a few weeks time he’ll come back for the Group 2 Boomerang Stakes. We’ll leave him at a mile for the minute.

“He was six months doing nothing and it’s only his fourth run. He probably doesn’t kill himself when he gets to the front. Hopefully he’ll improve. The dream lives on a big longer and hopefully he’s alright in the morning.”

The recovery in Dermot Weld’s form was again evident with a first and last race double for Rosewell House on the card.

WELL-BRED

The well-bred Chiara Luna looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The Moyglare-owned filly was sent off a 4/5 shot and worked her way into the lead a furlong from home, under Pat Smullen, before asserting in the closing stages for a three-parts-of-a-length win over Modern Love.

“It was a nice performance for her first start, for a filly that’s bred to go much further. She’ll learn a lot,” said Weld.

“She loved the nice ground and I appreciate the distance was always going to be a bit short for her. Hopefully next time with that benefit and over a bit further you will see a progressive filly.

“You could see the stamina coming through (at the end) and we ran her too short to teach her. We’ll see how she comes out of the race, and see how she progresses, but obviously the Moyglare is a very logical possible next target for her.

“If for any reason we thought she needed more time we’d probably wait for the CL Weld Park Stakes over the stiff seven at Naas but the Moyglare is the most likely next race for her.

“(Her mother) Princess Highway was a real mile-and-a-half mare and this filly will be best at a mile, I’d say, this year.

“To be able to win over a sharp six around here was a bonus and I feel it will teach her so much for the next day.

“We’ve only limited time to get her right for a Group 1. Other fillies have two and three runs. She’s come along the last couple of weeks and has progressed nicely.”

Weld and Smullen completed their brace when another debutante Bella Estrella, in the colours of Ballylinch Stud, took the concluding older fillies maiden.

The well-backed 7/2 shot (from 6/1) got a nice split on the rail to lead a furlong out and powered clear for a three-and-a-quarter length win over Dochasach.

“She did in nicely and picked up nicely. The jockey went down the brave man’s route,” said Weld.

“She’s a nice filly and we’ll see how she progresses before making a decision. She’ll probably go for a handicap.”

Nelson was sent off at a short price to land the two-year-old colts’ maiden over a mile and duly did the business when making all under Donnacha O’Brien.

The son of Frankel kicked clear turning for home and went on to record a three-length win at odds of 1/2. Stable-mate Christopher Robin made an eye-catching debut when staying on to finish runner-up.

“You’d be delighted with that. He came forward lovely from his first to his second run. He ran a nice race the last day but came forward again,” said Aidan O’Brien.

BERESFORD

“We could look at the Beresford or something like that with him. He gets a mile well and stays well. He was galloping out well to the line.

“You’d be delighted with the runner-up as well. He ran a lovely race and he’s a lovely horse.

“He was just ready to come and you’d be delighted with the way he kept coming.

“They went an even pace and it was a very good run out of him because it wasn’t a dawdle. It was a good run for a first timer.”

Donal Kinsella has a valuable prize in mind for Ducky Mallon after he recorded his second win of the season in the idealgraphix.ie Handicap.

Niall McCuallagh sent his mount for home over a furlong out and the 7/1 shot soon asserted, going on for a cosy length-and-a-half win.

“He’s been difficult enough with problems with his stomach but we think we have that sorted and he’s going the way I want,” said Kinsella.

“I was surprised the price he was after the way he won in the Curragh last time.

“Niall McCullagh said there wasn’t much he could do with him as he was running away.

“Hopefully we’ll get into the Bold Lad at the Curragh with him, that’s the target.”

Mainicin has proven a good servant for Jim Bolger and ran out a convincing winner of the Happy Mondays Apprentice Handicap.

Daniel Redmond made all on the 8/1 shot and she powered clear in the straight for a five-and-a-half length success.

“This filly doesn’t owe me anything as she made the running the Guineas for Pleascach,” said Bolger.

“She handles Dundalk as well so I have that option with her.”

Atlas, a fast finishing third at Galway last time, backed up that run when recording his first victory in the Bulmers Handicap.

Leigh Roche’s mount travelled well into contention turning for home in the mile contest and was sent for home inside the final furlong.

The Denis Hogan-trained gelding ran on strongly in the closing stages to record a five-length victory. The winner was sent off a well-backed 3/1 favourite having traded at 13/2 in the morning.

“There are more unlucky stories around Galway than there are good stories,” said Roche.

“He did it well. The ground was a lot better today and it probably suited him better.

“He travelled, I got a nice run around on the rail, switched out turning in and he hit the line well.

“I think the blinkers have helped him. That’s his grade and if the handicapper is not too hard on him he should pick up another race.”