AS expected Aidan O’Brien made it four wins in the last five runnings of the Group 3 Grenke Finance Ballyroan Stakes, but it was Spanish Steps and not the odds-on Johannes Vermeer who carried the day.

On his last start Spanish Steps was unable to land a telling blow in the Grand Prix de Paris, which came a couple of weeks after he landed a Gowran Park maiden.

Spanish Steps, who was quite a well backed 6/1 shot, got to the front in the early stages and nearing the three-furlong marker he opened up a commanding advantage over his five rivals.

Johannes Vermeer moved into second shortly after turning in but he still had plenty to do and, while he steadily eroded his stablemate’s advantage, the line was always coming too soon.

A dogged Spanish Steps carried the day by half a length, with Stellar Mass securing third, a further two and a half lengths back.

“We always felt that he’d be comfortable over a mile and a half on really nice ground,” said O’Brien, who indicated that a trip to Australia in the autumn is still under consideration for the runner-up.

“He was just a bit green when he ran in France but he is a smart colt and he was getting a lot of weight from the older horses. He might go for the Great Voltigeur at York next. Seamie (Heffernan) gave him a very good ride and he was gone turning in.”

SUCCESSFUL DEBUT

Jessica Harrington has much to look forward to with Landshark whose successful debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden served notice that he will have no trouble holding his own at a higher level.

At €210,000, the colt topped this year’s Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale and he is the first Irish-trained runner for his American connections E5 Racing Thoroughbreds, who also own the top American filly New Money Honey.

Landshark (4/1) looked to have everything covered from early in the straight but he just needed a gap to deliver his challenge.

A patient Colm O’Donoghue bided his time and eventually angled off the rail to make his bid nearing the final furlong. Once in the clear, Landshark picked up smartly for a cosy half-length victory over Sappho.

“Eamonn Reilly bought him for Bob Ellis and he was an expensive horse so it’s lovely when they go and do that,” reported Harrington. “He’s probably a seven-furlong horse but we said we’d start him over six in case he was a bit free. Colm said he was also going to get there.”

FIVE FOR WELD

Dermot Weld made it five winners since last Saturday as Espoir D’Soleil (5/2) built on a solid debut at Galway last week to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over nine furlongs.

The three-year-old daughter of Galileo, who has the Group 1 scorer Casual Conquest amongst her siblings, responded well to Pat Smullen’s promptings to lead with over a furlong to run. She finished with a length and a half to spare over the staying-on Dochasach.

“It was a nice, workmanlike performance. The longer trip today was a help to her and she learnt plenty from Galway,” commented Dermot Weld, who trains the winner for Moyglare Stud.

A 20/1 surprise was lying in wait in the nine-furlong handicap as Delaire, a three-time winner in Germany last winter, got off the mark on his third start in Ireland.

Denis Linehan had the five-year-old nicely placed on the inner before producing him with his effort early in the straight. Delaire led early in the last furlong for a three-quarters of a length victory over Shawami.

“We got him two months ago off Christian Von Der Recke, who recommended him, and he was primarily bought to go hurdling,” remarked Noel Dooly.

“He got a peach of a ride from Denis and he’ll stay a mile and a half so we’ll look at Tramore.”

STRONGEST

After going almost two years without a victory, Cassells Rock (12/1) took advantage of a career-low rating to claim the Nick Coen Lifetime In Racing Handicap for Tony Martin and Shane Foley. Quite a few of the runners were still in contention turning for home in this near two-mile event but the field gradually thinned out to leave Grand Partner and Cassells Rock doing battle.

On his third start of the year, the latter was much the strongest over the last furlong and he crossed the line with a one and three-quarter lengths to spare.

“He got a cut on a joint, which has given him some trouble, so we’ve had to give him some time,” observed Tony Martin of the Donal Houlihan-owned winner.

“He’s not quite big enough for fences but he’s fine over hurdles and on the flat and he’ll mix it between the two over the autumn.”

LAVERY WINNER

After posting some solid efforts over the course of the season, Sheila Lavery’s Zeeyalater registered the first success of his career in the Awardsandgifts.ie Handicap over six furlongs.

The 7/2 shot had to fight his corner to get a gap between Dandys Gold and Little Miss Willow inside the last quarter of a mile and when he was able to make his challenge in earnest he quickened to the front.

The top-weight, Alfredo Arcano, finished out his race well but was still a length and a quarter adrift of the winner at the line.

“He’s been running well against those hardened older handicappers, which isn’t easy for a three-year-old. He loves fast ground and will go for more of the same,” reported the winning trainer.

“I’m delighted for my mum and my sister as they make up the winning syndicate (Wascana Syndicate).

Aidan O’Brien also sent out Abyssinian (4/5), ridden by his son Donnacha, to win the mile and a half maiden.

This Galileo colt set off in front in his bid to progress on an encouraging comeback second at Killarney last month and he had this race under control from some way out. He crossed the line with three and a quarter lengths to spare over the 86-rated World War.

“He’s an uncomplicated horse who is a little lazy and that’s why he wore the blinkers,” reported the Ballydoyle trainer.

ACTING STEWARDS

T. Hunt, S. Barry, J.M. McGrath, J.F. Gillespie, H. Hynes

Horse To Follow

SNEEM (Mrs J. Harrington): This gelding progressed from his debut to finish third to stablemate Landshark in the two-year-old maiden and he should improve again.