Another famous win for Weld
Persistent rain all afternoon turned ground conditions to soft, which suited the Dermot Weld-trained six-year-old, a prolific winner in recent seasons.
Confidently ridden by stable-jockey Pat Smullen, the son of Dansili quickened past Ballydoyle pacemaker Last Crusade and market-rival Jan Vermeer soon after the two-furlong pole and stretched clear to score impressively by six lengths.
Always full of praise for Famous Name, Weld enthused: “I’m very proud of the horse. He has topped the €1m barrier tonight and has been a model of consistency. His enthusiasm for racing is special.”
He added: “As I’ve said before, the plan for the season is to win a Group 1 with him. But I’m not sure where he’ll go next.
“I must discuss plans with Lord Grimthorpe (owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Racing Manager).”
It will come as no surprise if Famous Name heads to the continent in search of that elusive Group 1 bracket, with a trip to Germany at the end of July a distinct possibility.
John Oxx’s string has hit form in the last fortnight and the Currabeg trainer introduced a promising newcomer — Sharestan — to justify market confidence in the opening Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital.
Coming from off the pace under Johnny Murtagh, the Shamardal colt took time to hit top gear but, when he did, he swept past Opa Loca to score emphatically.
Oxx commented: “We’ve always considered him a nice horse and he was ready to run last year, but had a few minor problems.
“Johnny said he was very green and wasn’t sure what to do when he was surrounded by horses.
“But he picked up well and should learn plenty from the experience. He’ll appreciate stepping-up in trip and will probably run in a ten-furlong winners’ race in Fairyhouse in two weeks.”
Oxx completed a double when English import Sceal Nua, ridden by Niall McCullagh, landed the Today FM Handicap at the expense of Negotiate and Printmaker, prompting the winning trainer to quip, “I know what I’m asking Santa Claus for this Christmas — horses with English handicap marks.”
He added: “She did it nicely, got the distance and will go for a fillies handicap next. She won and was placed for Richard Hannon, but her owners, the Mitchells, from Trim, decided to put her in training Ireland.”
Ben Curtis, joint-champion apprentice last season, celebrated his first success in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Derby when Roscommon maiden winner Sportsmaster travelled strongly before outpointing Teajaybe by two lengths.
Sportsmaster is trained by Andy Oliver who explained: “He’s progressive and got a great ride from Ben. He appreciated the mile and a half and the ease in the ground. He’s definitely improving and is heading for the July Sales.”
County Tipperary handler David Nagle savoured the success of the Wayne Lordan-ridden Maarek in the five-furlong handicap, only the third of his training career, declaring: “It’s a great place to win and it’s the first time this horse has got his ground. Even the last day he won, it wasn’t soft enough. He’s a typical Pivotal and, if he’s okay, he’ll run again in the Paddy Power Sprint here on Sunday.”
Jessica Harrington saddled the Fran Berry-ridden Glamorous to foil front-running Jumbo Rio in the concluding Silken Thomas Handicap, explaining: “David Minton bought her for us in Deauville. We were looking for a nice, dual-purpose filly and she fits the bill. She stays ten furlongs on the flat and should get two miles when she goes hurdling. But that won’t be for a while yet.”
