Clearing The Water an appropriate 3,000th domestic winner for Weld
The Sadler's Wells colt carried the colours of Moyglare Stud Farm and Weld felt that was totally appropriate.
“Mr Haefner (owns Moyglare Stud) has been a wonderful, loyal and true supporter of mine for a quarter of a century”, said the Rosewell House handler, enjoying his sixth success of the week.
Clearing The Water was backed from 5-4 to evens and was allowed stride on by Pat Smullen with over four furlongs to go.
He tired somewhat in the straight, but was still a length and a half to the good over Son Of Mary at the line.
“He's not a bad horse and will now go for a winners' of one”, reported Weld.
High Reef, partnered with real precision by Fran Berry, swooped late to land the featured Guinness Handicap.
Noend, Pat Smullen put up a pound overweight, looked the likely winner when hitting the front on the up hill run to the straight.
But Berry timed his final challenge to perfection, forcing High Reef up close home to score by a head.
Commented trainer, Charlie Swan: “My worry was whether she would stay the trip, but Fran gave her a super ride.
“She is in a Listed race at Cork on Monday and might go there, we will see how she comes out of this.”
Weld's Kinger Rocks proved a disappointing favourite in the St James' Gate Race over a mile and six.
She travelled sweetly through the contest, but found precious little when asked by Smullen approaching the home turn.
Victory went to in-form Noel Meade with Pepperwood produced by Berry, completing a double, to cut down the flattering Baffert well into the final furlong.
Said Meade: “He has come to himself in the last few weeks. I thought he'd stay, but wasn't sure and he will probably now go back over hurdles.”
Meade took his tally for the week to five when Always landed the Tony O'Malley Memorial Handicap Chase.
He certainly had luck on his side, however. Going to the second last Always wasn't travelling particularly well, upsides the always prominent City Hall.
Moving best in behind, arguably, was Swordplay. In any case City Hall fell, bringing down Swordplay, and Always kept battling away after that to beat Jupiter Hollow.
Willie Slattery came with a flying late surge to get top weight Senator's Alibi up by a short head in the Arthur Guinness Handicap.
“I've been saying it for a week, he'd win the McDonogh Handicap if he got in”, commented trainer, Thomond O'Mara.
“He was in some order, is in here again on Sunday, but I don't know if he'll run.”
Mahdi De Coueur, following his victory earlier in the week, was all the rage for the Guinness Handicap Hurdle, hardening from 9-4 to 7-4.
But he proved no match for trail-blazing, Newtown Dancer, going down by nine lengths.
Tom Hogan's charge made every yard of the running and the favourite could never get in any sort of blow in the closing stages.
Newtown Dancer was ridden by John King, enjoying a sixth success. He comes from Holycross, Co Tipperary and is a nephew of trainer, Pat Doyle.
