Universe completes Weld/Smullen treble

Hidden Universe capped a fine day for Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld at Listowel when completing a hat-trick for the pair in the Behans Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant Handicap.

The veteran campaigner was sent off 3/1 joint favourite for the one-mile six-furlong contest and travelled well to hit the lead turning for home.

Smullen asked him to go clear over a furlong from home and although Face Value ran on well in the closing stages he could only get within a length-and-three-quarters. Barnacle Bill the other market leader, was a one-paced fourth.

Hidden Universe was dropping back in trip having been fourth in the Ulster Cesarewitch just six days ago. The former Grade 1 bumper winner was recording his eighth career victory, and his fourth on the Flat.

Smullen said:- "Everything was about right for him today, there was a good ease in the ground and while I wasn't sure he'd handle the gluey ground, he was back to a mark from which he could be competitive.

"He's been a great servant to the year for many a year and he's a bit of an old pet."

Mark Weld added:- "We're over the moon with that as he's an old warrior and we've always thought a lot of him.

"He is a big, gross horse with age so it took until now to get him fit.

"It's also was very important for (owner) Ronan Lambe to get a winner and I don't think anyone is riding as well as Pat is at the moment."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)