Ashraf another for Weld and Smullen

Ashraf gave Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen a winner at Gowran Park when obliging in the concluding extended mile and one race.

Smullen, in the Aga Khan colours, held him up in rear as the four runners broke from the stalls. Inis Meain led from Bravery in a close second with Round Two settled third.

Bravery drew alongside Inis Meain half a mile out and then set sail for home at the two pole. However, Ashraf tracked him through and was driven to lead inside the final furlong.

He was ridden to score by three parts of a length at 5/2. The runner-up, Bravery, was the 4/5 favourite.

“He's back on track again now. His form was good last year and things just didn't happen for him in the Lincoln," Kris Weld said.

“We've been patient with him since and we're starting to see the benefit of that now. We won't be in any rush with him and we'll see how he fits into things in the coming weeks.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson