Easy for Quintus

Saturday's Golden Pages Handicap at Leopardstown is next on the agenda for Quintus who won last night's Great Southern Handicap by a cosy half a length at Killarney.

Racing in the colours of the English Davis Cup captain David Lloyd, Quintus made a decisive move at the two furlong pole and looked to have a little in hand despite the late challenge of Society Queen.

The favourite Kaldan Khan finished fourth after being badly hampered on the turn into the straight.

"He is a typical American bred and loves top of the ground," said Quintus's trainer Edward O'Grady. "We will see how he is in the morning but the Golden Pages is a big pot and is worth a chance."

O'Grady is also eyeing a hurdles contest at Galway for Quintus and the Co Tipperary trainer kept his hand in on the National Hunt front yesterday when Fairies Cross made an impressive winning debut over fences.

The injury-plagued nine-year-old made most of the running and jumped particularly well to beat Killashee Princess by an eased up six lengths.

"That's as good a first timer over fences as I've had in a while. He has a great appetite for the game," said O'Grady who praised the patience of Fairies Cross's local owners.

"The horse has broken down twice but they have persevered. That takes doing and it's only right that they have got their due," added O'Grady. Fairies Cross hadn't won since the Listowel festival in 1995.

Norman Williamson completed a double of his own, his second successive double of the festival, when guiding Call Bob to victory in the handicap chase despite a bad mistake at the third fence.

"Norman did well to stay with him but he said the horse was asleep and the mistake woke him up. The horse nearly went for his tea though," said trainer Tom Nagle.

The slowly away favourite Sir Williamwallace just beat the gambled on Hi Jamie for second but the stewards subsequently reversed their placings.

It was a night of doubles all round. Michael Grassick saddled the first two home in the claimer with the well backed Groundswell beating Bellfan and Grassick's Donostia deadheated with Bob What in a thrilling finish to the concluding maiden.

Donostia's rider Eddie Ahern had earlier won the mile handicap when coming with a rare late rattle to beat Willyever by three parts of a length.