Weld's run of form continues at double
Saturday, September 22, 2007
By Jimmy Walker
Dermot Weld's stable has "caught fire" these days after his
four-timer at Leopardstown on Champion Stakes day.
Today at Fairyhouse, Weld grabbed two of the first three races.
Shining Armour began the assault when winning the opening maiden race at
5-1.
Shining Armour was an easy winner and afterwards Weld said: "I'm pleased to
say that this is my 20th individual two-year-old winner of the season. It's
one of my best totals for many years.
"I'm also reasonably optimistic about next year's Classics where Chinese
White looks like developing into a useful filly and Famous Name may star for
the colts."
Weld's second winner today came in the third race in which Drifting scooted
clear over a furlong out to beat Russian Express with third place going to
War And peace who ran disappointingly for Aidan O'Brien.
Weld said: "It's good to see jockey Pat Smullen getting a double as well as
me and that was my 61st winner of the season. Hopefully I will be finding
black type for both Shining Armour and Drifting. This will be before the end
of the season and I have a big race at Leopardstown in mind for Drifting."
There was a shock winner of the second race when Nanny McPhee scored at 20-1
following up on a good run at the Curragh at 100-1.
Trainer Dermot Murphy was having his first winner for "at least three
years".
His previous winner was also at Fairyhouse and he said: "I'm really only a
part-time trainer for I own a small stud farm and have only four horses in
training."
Meanwhile, Advanced (20-1) got up in the shadow of the post to pip Benwilt
Breeze in the totesport.com Ayr Gold Cup.
Jamie Spencer came with a devastating late run on the stands side rail to
land the spoils for trainer Kevin Ryan.
Benwilt Breeze (22-1), trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons, was a neck away
second in the centre of the course with Patavellian (100-1) a length and
three-quarters away in third and Beaver Patrol (20-1) was fourth.
The 28-strong field split into two groups with King Orchisios taking them
along on the far side with Borderlescott, Majestic Times and Beaver Patrol
close to the lead near the stands rail.
Benwilt Breeze came towards the centre of the course from his low draw to
claim a definite advantage which looked like taking him all the way to the
line.
However, Advanced, who was third 12 months ago, came with a power-packed
finish to snatch the honours.
