Treacle continues Taaffe resurgence

Treacle made all the running to record a cosy success in the three-mile handicap chase at Gowran Park.

Mark Walsh bounced his mount out in front as only five runners lined up in the 0-130 contest.

The Tom Taaffe-trained Zaffaran gelding, sent off a 6/1 shot, travelled well in the lead and only had Give Us A Hand as a danger turning for home.

The 2/1 favourite couldn't land a blow, however, as the big chesnut galloped on strongly to record an easy 15-length victory.

It was the perfect start to the weekend for winning owner Bjorn Nielsen, who will be represented in tomorrow's Arc by the John Gosden-trained Masked Marvel.

"That helped pay for Masked Marvel's Arc supplementary entry!" joked Taaffe afterwards.

"I told Bjorn to have a bet on him today and he said to me on the phone afterwards that that was the hard part of the double!

"I'm delighted for Bjorn. He's a good owner and has been very patient. This horse has had plenty of problems and hopefully he'll be healthy and well after this.

"He'll have a mark now to get into good handicaps."

It was the third winner in the last couple of weeks for Taaffe, who had been on the cold list for almost a year previously due to the yard suffering from a couple of viruses.

Gary Carson