Newcomer Mutaabeq impresses McDonogh

Dermot Weld took the wraps off Teofilo colt Mutaabeq who powered home in the straight to win going away by three and a quarter lengths for Declan McDonogh in Ballinrobe.

The 9/4 joint favourite, in the Hamdan Al Maktoum silks, couldn't be called the winner despite improving to third approaching the home straight.

However, once he straightened for home he delivered a fine finishing kick to mow down National Wealth (9/4jf) in the final 150 yards and readily draw clear. Active Approach came in third, a further three parts of a length away, at 5/2.

Declan McDonogh said: "Around here first time he did well.

"The pace was on - all those long-shots were up front and they were going to fall away.

"I needed to get out from where I was and I just let Donnacha (O'Brien on National Wealth) go and flicked out behind him - it was never in doubt really.

"He travelled good down to the furlong pole.

"For a horse that never had a run he did supremely well to negotiate the place.

"It's riding well - the ground is lovely - it's on the dead side.

"I'd say he's a nice type of horse going forward. I liked him at home but coming here first time you never know how they're going to handle it - are they going to jump, are they going to get a position. All those things have to be overcome and he overcame a lot of it.

"Hopefully there's a bit more in him."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy