Big race double for in-form Weld

Dermot Weld completed a double in the “Guineas trials” at the Curragh this afternoon as Flying Jib took the Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes, adding to Alkasser #8217;s victory earlier in the Tetrarch Stakes.

The daughter of Oasis Dream announced herself as a filly of some potential when landing a Listed race here over a mile last autumn, and connections were a bit concerned about the drop back to seven furlongs for this Group 3 event.

Kevin Manning, replacing the suspended Pat Smullen, gave the uneasy 2/1 favourite a strong drive inside the final furlong, getting up in the closing stages.

The Khalid Abdullah home-bred had half a length to spare over Peace Burg at the line, with Wannabe Better another length and a half back in third.

Weld said, “Kevin rode a double for me a number of years ago at Leopardstown when Pat was away in Australia. He gave her a very positive ride, and the filly responded.

“We’ll have to consider her for the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She won a Listed race well here last year, and I think she’ll appreciate a mile.

“My one concern today was that it would be a furlong too short for her but she battled well.”