BACK at the track that provided him with the first treble of his career earlier this month, Eddie Lynam once again took centre stage at Naas as the classy Fort Del Oro bagged the Listed Yeomanstown Stud Dark Angel EBF Stakes.

As she went in search of the third listed triumph of her career, the Ballylinch Stud-owned and bred filly allayed any concerns about the quick ground with an assured display under Billy Lee. The daughter of Lope De Vega, who was a well backed 10/11 favourite, travelled through the race with conspicuous ease and she hit the front with over a furlong to run.

Chief rival Most Beautiful was in the process of launching her challenge but Fort Del Oro was not for catching. She went on to the line well to defeat the English raider Buying Trouble by three-quarters of a length with Most Beautiful a further half-length away in third.

“She did it well. Ground wise she seems very adaptable. I was worried it might be a bit quick but she got away with it,” said Lynam, who has next month’s Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes in mind for his charge. “It was the last fillies’ listed race over five or six furlongs in Ireland until 2017 so we had to run – we could all be in Brexit by then!.”

Last year’s Irish 2000 Guineas second Endless Drama got his season back on track as took advantage of a gilt edged opportunity in the one-mile conditions race. As he looked to bounce back from his unplaced run at Ascot, the dual Group 1-placed miler had upwards of 13lb to spare over his four rivals on official figures. The result was a formality once Colin Keane nudged him along approaching the final furlong. Endless Drama (1/3) was kept up to his work in the closing stages to post a two and a half length victory over General Macarthur.

“He’s done his job. Colin said the ground is as fast as he wants, he doesn’t want extremes,” commented Ger Lyons. “Colin isn’t that keen to step him up in trip but it looks like he’ll be going for the Royal Whip (over 10 furlongs) next and his ultimate aim is the Champion Stakes at the end of the year.”

Sheila Lavery’s long-standing faith in Mr Scarlet (7/1) was more than vindicated in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden as the Dandy Man gelding bested a useful looking field in good style. Gary Carroll’s mount came here off a good fourth to Noivado at Fairyhouse 10 days previously and the drop back to five furlongs was no problem.

A host of runners were still in contention entering the last quarter of a mile but Mr Scarlet was soon in charge and he finished with a length and three-quqrters to spare over Mayleaf Shine.

“I bought him at Fairyhouse last year and paid more for him (€72,000) than I’ve done for any other horse, but he came from Joe Foley, who recommended him, and I’ve huge faith in Joe,” reflected Ms Lavery, whose brother John owns the gelding. “Gary said he’d win after his run the last day. Gary says he’s a blacktype horse.”

CARROLL DOUBLE

Gary Carroll then brought up a double as a back-to-form Three Bells notched-up the seventh success of his career in the Queally Group Supporting Naas Parish Community Handicap. The well-supported 13/2 chance, who had dropped 16lb in the weights since last September, put himself in with every chance entering the final furlong. It wasn’t long before he held a definite lead and he stuck to his task to account for I Will Excel by half a length.

“He always comes to himself at this time of year and he’s really taken up over the last few days,” reported Pat Downey who trains the gelding for the Bells Syndicate.

Markhan (6/1) continues to look like one who could eventually hold his own in quality company as he bested seasoned older rivals in the one-mile handicap. David Marnane’s charge has progressed nicely this season and took another step forward with this gritty neck defeat of Stronger Than Me.

The 86-rated Markhan quickened well for Colm O’Donoghue to lead with around a furlong to run and he ran on tenaciously to deal with his aforementioned opponent.

“He’s a progressive horse and is still learning about things,” said Marnane of the Prince Saif Aldin Al Saud-owned colt. “Everything went wrong the last day at Navan and he was too free but this was much better and he’s getting there. We might look at a handicap at York’s Ebor meeting for him.”

Johnny Murtagh maintained his excellent run of form as the French import Peacehaven (9/4) got off the mark on her second start in Ireland in the six-furlong maiden. The four-year-old half-sister to the high-class sprinter Spirit Quartz produced a brave effort from the front under Connor King.

Nuala Tagula looked to be coming with a strong effort entering the last furlong, but the Ballygallon Stud-owned Peacehaven would not be denied and she carried the day by half a length. This was the trainer’s sixth victory in the last 12 days.

“She isn’t with us that long and Connor felt that seven furlongs was too far for her at Fairyhouse the last day,” commented Murtagh. “She’s related to some very good sprinters and she’ll stay at five or six furlongs. She’s tough and I think there might be a bit more improvement to come from her.”

The Pat Murphy-trained and Ross Coakley-ridden Fairy Foxglove came out on top in the apprentice riders’ handicap. The 16/1 chance was going smoothly from early in the straight and, having led with over a furlong to run, she knuckled down well under pressure to fend off Lightening Stricks by half a length. The six-year-old daughter of Albano is owned by the Nevada Sky Racing Syndicate.