Kamala sets Champion standard as Monarch takes Bockos scalp

BALLYMAC KAMALA produced a brilliant performance to set the standard as the €20,000 BOYLEsports Champion Stakes got under way over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park.

Liam Dowling's bitch was having her first start since finishing a close third in the Irish Oaks final three weeks earlier and racing from trap six for the first time but it mattered not as she flew from the boxes to quickly take command.

She was relentless throughout despite being chased by quality rivals such as Getup The Boy, Epic Ace and Jacktavern Turbo and powered away to score by five lengths from the first-named in a superb 29.25sec.

Earlier, Michael O'Donovan's Kirby Memorial champion Bouncing Monarch inflicted just a second Shelbourne Park defeat on Bockos Diamond in the opener.

Both broke smartly and raced into the turn together but Bouncing Monarch had the inside line and emerged in front, asserting fully from the final bend to win by three lengths in 29.30sec.

Karol Ramsbottom's Sober Barry was a gutsy winner of the finale which proved a thriller.

He disputed early with Coloursaregreen then Glengar Kane entered the equation as the leaders jostled and it all got very tight off the last with the last-named perhaps just showing in front.

However, Sober Barry stuck his neck out and forced his way back to the front before digging deep to see off Glengar Kane by two lengths in 29.88sec.

Saturday's €20,000 Champion Stakes final draw and form