IRISH eyes were certainly smiling after the opening race at Salisbury's Ladies Evening fixture when Alpine Girl snatched the spoils for Rory Mulligan in the last stride of the six furlong apprentice handicap.

It was quiet a day for the young Irishman who was riding his first winner in England, not that he thought he had done so. "I knew it was close, 50/50, but I thought I was beaten," he confessed.

Apprenticed to Johnny Murtagh, Mulligan was recommended to Newmarket James Fanshaw for the idiosyncratic filly, who has a touch of the Great Garbo about her, because of his experience that had yielded five winners. He flew from Dublin at 9am to Bristol where he was picked up by a member of the winning syndicate and driven to the course.

"I got the ride through my agent," he said. "The lad, who rode him last time, says she likes to have some daylight, so I kept her on her own and she kept on finding a little bit more for me."

Five years ago, Pyledriver, who went to win the prestigious King George at Ascot, made a winning debut in the seven-furlong maiden for juveniles and there is a real possibility the imposing Royal Playwright could also be well above average. Pyledriver was a 20/1 shock winner but the jungle drums were certainly beating for Andrew Balding's unraced colt who attracted considerable market support.

Winning jockey Hayley Turner rode the Lope de Vega colt, owned by former Salisbury racecourse chairman Jeff Smith, at work last week and was impressed. "He gave a nice feel and he has certainly not gone under the radar in the yard. He's well respected."

Royal Playwright showed an understandable greenness at half way but when Turner asked him to quicken, he did so in style, going away to register a three length victory.

Daniel Kubler told Ross Coakley of his debutant Distinct Sprit:" I think he's capable of running a good race" - and so it proved as the four-year-old swept aside National Interest in the maiden sprint.

The odds-on favourite, blinkered for the first time, took a fierce hold and was clear at halfway but his stride was significantly shortening in the closing stages and was soon a spent force.

"I think the favourite might have over done it," said Coakley. "He spread the field out. Mine got into a nice slot and a nice rhythm and was able to put it to bed. He was quite professional and I hope he can progress."

Coakley then a double in similar style, swooping late on the outside in the ten-furlong handicap on Elladonna who has been a revelation since the application of a hood and restrained tactics to provide a second winner for Fanshaw. "The penny seems to have dropped with her," said his son and assistant trainer Tom.