Rab-owned top weight Ghimaar became the third scorer on the bounce for Galway legend Dermot Weld when a 10/1 victor in last night's traditional Monday night feature under Robbie McNamara.

The 20-year-old Limerick amateur was coolness personified as he took a tow into the amateur handicap downhill to the straight before going for home off the final bend to leave the opposition toiling with the exception of 20/1 chances Evening Rushour and Mountain Snow.

A probable now for the Ebor Handicap at York next month, Ghimaar, a winner of a maiden around this course a year ago, had his task eased when Fisher Bridge led them at a steady pace for the majority of the two miles.

“The slow pace was a tremendous help to a four-year-old under 12 stone. That allowed Robbie to control the race and, although he went on sooner than planned, it worked out well,” was Weld's verdict following a race he won four times as a rider and on six occasions as a trainer.

Seldom exhibiting emotion in the saddle, McNamara allowed himself a wave of the whip crossing the line to acknowledge the crowd's cheers as he followed up his success of 12 months previously on Majestic Concorde and of Loyal Focus in 2007.

It was business as usual also for the many followers of the Weld-Pat Smullen team in the Radisson Hotel Maiden when odds-on Stunning View overhauled main market rival Banyan Tree on the climb to the post.

Eventually full value for the three-length winning margin, this Shamardal half-brother to Desert King has a couple of high-profile entries later in the season for Weld to choose between. “He did what I expected of him there, but it was a good performance on that ground,” said Weld.

“ In a couple of weeks we’ll decide whether he goes for the National Stakes or the Goffs Million.”

Progressive filly Moonlight Sapphire had foiled Weld's shorter-priced candidate Gratified as they dominated the closing stages of the opening novice hurdle over the EasyFix synthetic obstacles.

Always up with the pace, Dublin owner Eddie Donegan's daughter of High Chaparral which had skated up in a Kilbeggan maiden over these jumps responded gamely for Sean McDermott to maintain her advantage.

“That's six winners this year from the dozen I have in training. She's entered in a two-mile flat handicap on Saturday and will probably come back here for that,” remarked Callan, Co Kilkenny trainer John O'Shea.

Moonlight Sapphire was blinkered for the first time here but another improver No One Tells Me then managed to emulate her Punchestown Festival success despite Jessica Harrington forgetting to declare the customary cheekpieces.

“It didn't matter anyway as Robert Power said she didn't need them. She's getting stronger all the time and could go for a flat race here later in the week,” said Mrs Harrington.

Danny Mullins — who rode a treble here last year — showed his liking for the Ballybrit terrain when he came home in front of the claregalwayhotel.ie Hotel Handicap aboard 9/1 shot Tellelle from the Liam McAteer stable.

“Danny gave the horse a lovely ride and he did exactly what he was told. He won over 6f and he has plenty of pace, so I told Danny not to be in a hurry,” said McAteer

“The track really suited her and she came up the hill very well. We took her to the beach at Laytown and she worked really well over a couple of furlongs”

Jessie Harrington was back in the winner's enclosure after Mosstown got up in the closing stages to land the hotelmeyrick.ie & ghotel.ie Handicap in the hands of Shane 'Dusty' Foley making it a double on the day for the trainer.

Winning trainer Harrington stated afterwards: “The BB Horse Racing Club that own this horse are the first syndicate I ever had. They have been so lucky and they have had plenty of horses with me and only one horse has never won for them.”