Bright start for Weld and Mullen

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen got the Irish Flat turf season off to the perfect start by taking out the two feature events on the opening afternoon of the campaign at the Curragh.

First to strike for the master of Rosewell House was Vote Often, who could be bound for the Irish 1,000 Guineas after outpointing British raider Odeliz in a thrilling climax to the Lodge Park Stud European Breeders Fund Park Express Stakes.