Silwana another for Weld and Smullen

Winner number eight for Dermot Weld at this year’s Galway Festival was brought up in good style by 2/5 favourite Silwana in the mile and a half fillies’ maiden.

The three-year-old filly saw off Mozetta on the turn in and stayed on well up the hill for a two lengths success. Cailini Alainn made good progress in the final furlong to close into a never threatening second at 6/1. She got the hang of things at the business end of the race on this her debut for John Oxx and Declan McDonogh.

Dermot Weld was at Christy Grassick’s funeral today.

His son Kris was at Galway and said: “She had a good run in Cork and didn’t have to improve a lot to win. She stays well and handles the ground, but would prefer it slightly better. There was fresh ground but it opened quickly. We’ll look for a handicap for her.”

Silwana was third in a Cork maiden to Just Gorgeous in May.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes