Alex Ferguson was present to see his much heralded newcomer, Zentov Street, beaten at 2 to 1 on, but yet again the star of Leopardstown's Golden Pages Day was Jim Bolger.
A trio of winners was highlighted by a remarkable third triumph in the £50,000 feature for Graduated, a horse whose career had appeared in such free fall that Michael Smurfit gave his half share to Bolger's wife, Jackie, for nothing.
However, even more remarkable than the feat of bringing Graduated back in the sort of shape to repeat his 1996 and 1997 successes is Bolger's record in the race.
"That's eight winners and I've retained seven," grinned the Coolcullen trainer in reference to how the stewards threw out his 1984 "winner" Jazz Me Blues. "And I've been second twice and third once," he added to emphasise his dominance of one of the summer's most sought after handicaps.
Graduated was winning with his third different jockey, as Conor Everard, whose biggest success came on Mantovani in the 1996 Heinz 57, was on board. Stable jockey Kevin Manning chose to ride Father Murphy, a decision Bolger admitted he agreed with, but, as that one faded, Graduated came through a furlong out and repelled all boarders.
The top weight Draught of Vintage finished well for second, with Golden Fact third. The favourite, She's Our Mare, after a less than clear run, finished fifth.
"I never had him right last year as there was coughing in the yard and he was one of the worst affected," Bolger said. "He really wasn't going anywhere last year and it didn't look like he had much of a future, so Dr Smurfit gave back his half share.
"His last run wasn't too good, but he can be like that. He decides to give himself a rest now and again. I had pencilled him to go hurdling at Galway, but that may be a bit soon. Maybe he will be back here next year," he added.
Manning was on board Bolger's warm-up winners, however, and Desert Sky got her reward for consistency with a cosy defeat of Buffalo Berry in the Silver Flash Stakes.
Remarkable Style had to battle harder to beat Beckon The King by a short head in the Rennicks Race, but Manning was handicapped by dropping his whip inside the final furlong. Remarkable Style will be retired to stud at the end of the season, but could have a race in the USA before that.
Aidan O'Brien landed the challenge stakes with the Leger possibility Yeomans Point, but was left scratching his head after Zentov Street, a $260,000 purchase as a foal, was cut down by Castleshane in the closing stages of the seven furlong maiden.
"It was his first race and he was a bit green," said the Ballydoyle trainer, while his famous owner contented himself by saying: "The horse will learn from that."
Ferguson and everyone else learned on Saturday, though, that a combination of mid-July, Leopardstown and Jim Bolger usually spells success. Bear it in mind for next year.
Leopardstown's 50p admission cost on Saturday resulted in a huge crowd of 13,220 compared to a 1998 figure of 5,935. Bookmaker turnover was up from £302,000 to £441,000 and the Tote was up over £40,000 to £160,000.
