The surface at Shelbourne Park was clearly in great condition for Saturday night’s programme, and it was the remarkable Ballydoyle Honey, trained by Graham Holland, who posted the fastest time of the night when producing a typically strong display in the first semi-final of the Gain Dog Foods Christmas Oaks.

Proud Graham, whose dam was a half-sister to Tipperary Cup winner Tisalladream, went fastest in round two of the Comerford Cakes Open 525 on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park.