Partnered by Kevin Manning, the five-year-old had to work hard for her neck-win over Chelsea Rose, but she will follow the same route as last year, with Bolger nominating the Nassau Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes as her future targets.

"Then we'll see about France (the Prix de l'Opera), and hopefully Hong Kong will come looking for us for the cup after that, " Bolger said.

Jockey Pat Shanahan, who only returned to the saddle 10 days ago after a six-and-ahalf month absence due to a foot ulcer, bounced back with a winner through Redstone Dancer in the Unicorn Homes EBF Fillies Handicap.

"She wants the ground a bit softer, but she's been working well at home, and I'm extremely pleased she's won, " Sheena Collins, who trains the 16/1 winner for Ken Lynch, said afterwards.

Trainer Eoin Griffin is more usually associated with the NH sphere, but he sent out his first flat winner of the season when Finicius, who was backed at 20/1 at morning prices, captured the Netjets Maiden at odds of 9/1.

The first leg of a double for Johnny Murtagh, Finicius was additionally Griffin's first juvenile runner.