Almanaara too good in Tipperary

Dermot Weld's Almanaara was the clear-cut winner of Tipperary's extended seven and a half furlong maiden and justified odds-on favouritism in doing so.

Pat Smullen's mount was always in the front rank just off pace-setting Missguided The grey colt then eased into the lead over two furlongs out and soon asserted.

He was ridden inside the furlong pole to keep up the gallop and passed the post three lengths clear at 4/7.

John Murphy 's nicely-backed Military Hill (9/2) just fended off 33/1 newcomer Orinoco River for second by a neck.

“It was a long time coming as we thought he would have won before now,” Pat Smullen said.

“To be fair to him I think he would have won last time if it had been seven.

“I was always going to make use of the draw today as he was the best horse in a weak race.

“Hopefully he'll get a bit of encouragement and confidence from that as he has ability.”

Almanara drew the number one stall and was sporting blinkers for the first time. This was his sixth racecourse appearance.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson