7up for Weld

Dermot Weld's excellent start to Galway week continues and he registered his seventh win at the Festival when Directa King made short work of winning the William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap by a full 17 lengths.

Successful on his first two starts in Germany, the half brother to German Derby winner Dai Jin ran out a thoroughly impressive winner under Pat Smullen, shaping like a horse vastly better than his 72 rating.

Afterwards Weld reported "today was his day! We'll have to step him up in grade now and, while I thought he'd be a lovely horse for English handicaps, that is probably off the agenda now. Directa King was bought to be a dual purpose horse and he may go hurdling later in the year. Today's softer ground is what he wants."