IT looked business as usual for Ballydoyle on the opening day of the Leopardstown flat meeting as Hans Anderson (96+) and Never Ending Story (99+) booked their classic places with smooth victories in their respective trials.

However, there was a surprise in store for the all-conquering outfit in the Ballysax Stakes as, despite accounting for half of the field, the treble was thwarted by White Birch (104+) who posted the performance of the day on the clock in the Group 3 contest.

Shane Foley brought John Murphy’s colt with a sweeping run from last position turning for home, narrowly edging out Up And Under (104+) who challenged from a similar position.

There was little to separate the pair on the closing sectionals with both exciting prospects completing their race in 40.17secs from the three-furlong marker. Hans Anderson and, in the previous race, Curvature were quicker through the closing stages, clocking 38.96secs and 39.31secs.

Although given the extra distance covered and the stronger pace set by Serious Challenge, the grey son of Ulysses emerged from the sectional analysis with his performance further enhanced.

Connections of Up And Under can also look forward to better times ahead with their colt as he was arguably an unlucky loser, having drifted left in the final 50yds when just half a length adrift of White Birch.

The victory was no shock to Shane Foley as he explained post race: “It wasn’t necessarily a surprise. I’ve ridden him in his work over the last couple of weeks and I’ve really liked him.”

“It was a proper race; they went a proper gallop and it never let up. He’s a nice horse. I knew down around the bottom bend I was getting to them, and he actually picked up better than I expected so I ended up there a little bit too soon. He really is a nice horse”.

High praise indeed from Jessica Harrington’s retained rider who earlier on the card made all the running on Curvature (97+) for his main employer.

It was a sparkling seasonal debut from the daughter of Lope De Vega as she made light of stall 11 to win unchallenged.

Race fitness may have proved an advantage, although the switch to turf from the synthetic surface of Dundalk also looked to suit.

Fourth home Hazalaya (89+) closed off quicker than the winner in the fillies’ maiden, posting 39.08secs for her sectional. The daughter of Siyouni is sure to improve for the experience and relish a step up in trip to a mile and a quarter.

RYAN Moore completed his personal Classic trial double aboard Never Ending Story, displaying superb judgement of the pace set by Matilda Picotte (96) and Zarinsk (93).

After sitting sixth in the formative stages, Moore produced his filly to cover the final three furlongs in 40.72secs and win going away by two and a half lengths, with any amount in hand.

Like her male stable companion, the winner is more likely to contest the Irish or French 1000 Guineas before stepping up in distance by a further two furlongs, a trip she has every chance of staying given her pedigree.

Madly Truly (93+) caught the eye making late ground, stopping the clock for her sectional in 40.99secs as she joined the bunch finish for third on the line.

It was hard to say Matilda Picotte did not stay the seven furlongs as she finished clear of the remainder.

However, a closing sectional of 41.52secs shows the Kieran Cotter-trained filly may be better suited by a furlong shorter, especially as she raced enthusiastically in the early stages which may limit her chances of staying the mile.

Hans Anderson posted the sharpest finish of the day at Leopardstown on Sunday when he took the 2000 Guineas Trial, comfortably holding Bold Discovery (93+) who, after misbehaving at the stalls, finished off his race in 39.07secs.

Aidan O’Brien committed the winner to a Guineas of sorts with the Irish and French under more serious consideration than Newmarket.

Signora Bellissima (90) handed Johnny Murtagh his first success of the new turf season with an all-the-way victory in the three-year-old handicap in the hands of Jamie Powell.

The talented apprentice pinched just enough ground on his field, with his filly’s closing sectional of 42.03secs proving just quick enough to hold the late thrust of the promising Valiant King (90+).

Oisin Murphy made the trip to the Dublin track specifically to ride Joseph O’Brien’s colt and was unfortunate not to leave with a winner as his mount was tardy from the stalls.

A superior closing sectional of 41.42secs saw the partnership close the losing margin to a short head at the line. Compensation in a similar event awaits the son of Roaring Lion.

Cristal Clere (93) and Purple Gown (93) clocked identical time figures in the final two races, with Jim Bolger’s concluding race winner posting the faster sectional as she covered the final three furlongs in 43.62secs, compared to the 44.86secs taken by the Sean Bowen-ridden gelding.