Mr Houdini struck another blow for the small operator with a Glencairn Stakes win for Oliver Finnegan at Leopardstown last night.

The veteran gelding was a half-length runner-up in the Listed contest in 2002 but the half-length margin went with him this time.

Michael Kinane powered the grey to the line ahead of Avorado and provided Navan-based Finnegan, who trains a small mixed string, with a career highlight.

On Monday, Miss Childrey gave Frank Ennis a similar feeling by winning the Swordlestown Stud Stakes.

"There are limited opportunities so you've got to take them when you get them!" said Finnegan who took over the training of Mr Houdini just 10 weeks ago.

Kinane had ridden the horse at Naas on Monday when they endured a less than clear run but made no mistake this time.

"He swims every day of the week and he had a couple of dips since Monday - there wasn't much time for anything else," said Finnegan who trains just five flat horses.

"I entered him in a Group Three at the Curragh in July which might have been excitable but if he wasn't in, you'd be mad in the morning after that," he added.

Pat Smullen finished third on One More Round but picked up a two-day ban for careless riding.

However Refuse To Bend's rider had a much more profitable time earlier with a double on the newcomer Oversighted and the maiden Military Option.

Aidan O'Brien withdrew his two juvenile entries due to the change in ground and Oversighted took advantage to score.

"He is a big strong horse who knew his job and he'll go for the Railway Stakes on Derby day," said Dermot Weld.

Military Option got up to beat the favourite Kurbaan in the last stride but still looked an outsider in betting on the photo.

"The stands side every time!" grinned Weld. "It's an optical illusion but the near side always seems to have an advantage."

Another small operator landed the Premier Handicap as the bottomweight Carranduff followed up a Curragh success for Co Limerick-based Edward Mitchell.

Rainbow Dash justified some shrewd market support with a success under Pat Cosgrave in the two mile handicap and Royal Alphabet justified favouritism in the amateur race but had to be ridden out to take care of Really.