Slade justified favouritism in the mile maiden by staying on well up the Bellewstown hill to deny Mutamaleq and Councilofconstance Andrew Heffernan’s gelding won cosily in the end by half a length and three quarters of a length, after Dermot Weld’s Mutamaleq looked liked holding on after taking the running up at the top of the hill.

Heffernan said: “He was on the wrong foot the whole way round and didn’t like the track. I think the rising ground helped him come home. He might get further but will be a better horse next year.”

Slade was backed at morning prices of 2/1 and the support continued on course with the starting price returned at 11/10.