Dorset Square takes advantage of lenient flat mark

THE Wille Mullins-trained Dorset Square took full advantage of his apparently lenient flat mark when justifying 6/5 favouritism in the John Madden & Sons Handicap in Ballinrobe last night.

Unplaced in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and in the Prix La Barka at Auteuil in his two outings after a break, the Pat Smullen ridden seven-year-old came through late to thwart Apache Drums and Playdate, scoring by a cosy two lengths.

Trainer Mullins, who must decide this morning whether to run Dorset Square again, under a mandatory penalty, in Tipperary tomorrow, was not present but Smullen commented: “We had to wait for the gap, but he picked up well. He looked well-in on his hurdle form and rating and did the job well.”