EASILY the most interesting contest at the opening stage of the Killarney festival this evening is the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap, which brings together four useful performers.

Curragh trainer John Oxx landed the listed Lenebane Stakes for the fourth time in five years in Roscommon last night as 12/1 shot Aklan held the late surge of the Michael Halford-trained favourite Massiyn, also owned by the Aga Khan, by a short-head in a thrilling blanket-finish.

Trainer Michael Halford is delighted Johnny Murtagh has chosen to partner Massiyn in the Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon tomrrow evening.

Ursa Major captured the opening night feature, the Derby Festival Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap, when the three-year-old ran out a determined winner at the expense of Buy Back Bob at the Curragh last night.

Dermot Weld’s Encrypted Message can land the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden at Navan tonight.

Michael Halford, still en route from Singapore, where Invincible Ash was in Grade 1 action on Sunday, missed seeing Massiyn and Paddy The Celeb provide him with a double at Roscommon last evening.