Hidden Universe a birthday treat for Weld

The punters came for Hidden Universe and the punters were proved right as he scored for Weld and Smullen in the two mile handicap.

He was backed from 5/1 in the morning to an SP of 9/4 to account for his 17 rivals. Pat Smullen had him in a handy position in fourth before moving into the lead at the two pole. Foot Soldier (20/1) followed him through and set off in pursuit, but once Pat Smullen asked for more from his mount he was always holding the runner-up. Benkei and Cassells Rock both at 9/1, rewarded each way punters by coming home third and fourth respectively.

“He got an excellent ride from Pat Smullen. He’s had a lot of leg problems and has been a very hard horse to keep sound. It has been an uphill battle to keep him sound. My concern was with the ground drying up would it get too fast for him as he has been very effective on soft ground,” Dermot Weld said.

“He has tremendous guts and courage so he was suited to the track well. He’s in later in the week in a handicap hurdle, but I would doubt he would run after having that run on fast ground. He’s a horse for the Cesarewitch or something like that.

“The horses are running super. If I get one a day I’d be very happy. The competition is so much keener than it was a few years ago.”

Today is Dermot Weld’s 66th birthday. This was the fifth time in the last six years he trained the winner of this race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson