Dermot Weld’s team for the Galway Festival strengthened further at Naas this evening, with his Galway-bound Taameer winning on his first run for the trainer in the Michael Higgins & Co. Race.

Sent off at 14/1 Taameer, the gelding got up late to deny Duff and Mutahadee by two short heads.

Afterwards Weld stated “that was a very decent race. We’ll see where he goes next but the winners’ of one race over 1m6f at Galway on the Friday is on the agenda.”

“He’s a very talented horse but I thought a mile would be a bit short for him today. We’re very happy with him and he’ll be a dual purpose horse in time. He gives the impression that he will stay and we’ve schooled him over hurdles and he seems to enjoy it. We bought him at Doncaster Sales in May and also bought Sulwaan (a winner in Sligo recently) that day too.”

Thomas Weekes