Purring Along gets rookie trainer Melia off the mark

Close to the stands' side rail was the place to be in the 27-runner Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap over seven furlongs and Purring Along showed good speed throughout to score at odds of 28/1.

As the field split into two groups, Wayne Lordan's mount was soon at the head of affairs on the near side and led overall from two furlongs out to beat the staying-on Dark Viper by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

Twice a winner last year for Shane Duffy, Michelle Shannon's five-year-old was making a successful stable debut for her new trainer, Aidan Melia.

“I'm delighted, that's my first one. She did the job anyway,” said Melia.

“She's only my fourth runner, I only got my licence during the summer. I'm based in Monasterevin and I've only a couple riding out at the moment but I've got plenty of empty stables!”

Quotes from Gary Carson