Medicinal makes impressive debut for in-form Weld

DERMOT WELD, who introduced Refuse To Bend to racing at Gowran Park three years ago, produced another potentially high class colt at the Kilkenny track yesterday when Medicinal made an impressive debut.

Carrying the colours of nearby Ballylich Stud, Medicinal quickened into the lead at the furlong pole in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden before lengthening in good style for Pat Smullen to score by three lengths. A strapping son of Linamix, Medicinal could well develop into a high-class middle-distance performer.

The well-touted 3/1 shot proved the first leg of a double for the in-form Weld/Smullen alliance, completed in the Kavanaghs Super Valu Thomastown Handicap when Battling Mac defied a 14lb. rise for his Listowel success with another clear-cut success.