Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Alan Magee
Often just gets the verdict in Park Express
Vote Often (left) just gets the better of Odeliz in the Park Express Stakes
© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld got the new turf season off to a bright start when sending out Vote Often to land the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes, initiating a big race double for the local trainer and stable jockey Pat Smullen who were later successful with Stuccodor in the Lincoln.
The easy-to-back 10/1 chance and English raider Odeliz fought out a great finish as the pair drew clear inside the final furlong of this mile event.
The Khalid Abdullah home-bred just proved the stronger in the closing stages to prevail by a head. Achnaha was nearly four lengths adrift in third, while 9/4 favourite Wannabe Better could find no extra in sixth.
Weld said, “That was a lovely performance and she’s a nice, tough filly. She won well at Naas last year.
“The key is she loves that ground and that’s why we got her out early. She’s beautifully bred and it’s great to get her a Group 3 win.
“She will be considered for the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She handles a good cut in the ground, and she’s tough and stays.”
Weld also revealed plans for his Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero Silver Concorde saying, “He will go for the Champion Bumper at Punchestown, while Vigil (fifth at Cheltenham) could run at Fairyhouse or Punchestown. One wants good ground while the other likes it soft.”