Slatterys' Metier has found his calling

Metier (11/2) relished the ease in the ground as he led from an early stage en route to a six length victory in the Irish EBF Supporting Champions Weekend Maiden.

The Mastercraftsman colt, trained by Andy Slattery and ridden by his son Andrew, stayed on the far side in the home straight as the field fanned out across the track, and galloped on strongly to beat the debutant Bashiyr (4/1), with Canning (14/1) another half a length back in third.

The 5/2 favourite Timemakesitfine finished sixth.

The winner had run with credit in three maidens, before finding the competition a little too hot in the Magners Ulster Derby at Down Royal on his previous outing.

The winning trainer Andy Slattery said: “I told Mr Garvey that he had improved a stone since Down Royal.

“We gave him a break, he's a big raw horse. He could end up a Cup horse next year, he's so raw and big, he's a fair horse.

“This is as short as he'd want to go. He might end up going for this year's Irish Cesarewitch.

“I thought the ground mightn't be soft enough for him today. He'll go on any kind of ground but stamina is his thing.

“He's a mile-and-a-half, mile-six or maybe two mile horse eventually.

“He had a mark of 73 today but he won't have that now. It's all about next year with him.

“He ran here last year and was fourth in a goodish maiden but he was a big clown and didn't know what to do.

“He's still a bit the same and he said he was idling out in front and waiting for the horses.

“I think next year with a bit of luck he could be a very very good horse. We could be going for those nice staying races. That's where we are hoping to be.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson