Favourite Slade stays on well

Slade justified favouritism in the mile maiden by staying on well up the Bellewstown hill to deny Mutamaleq and Councilofconstance Andrew Heffernan’s gelding won cosily in the end by half a length and three quarters of a length, after Dermot Weld’s Mutamaleq looked liked holding on after taking the running up at the top of the hill.

Heffernan said: “He was on the wrong foot the whole way round and didn’t like the track. I think the rising ground helped him come home. He might get further but will be a better horse next year.”

Slade was backed at morning prices of 2/1 and the support continued on course with the starting price returned at 11/10.