Araqeel takes opener with ease Araqeel justified his short price in the opening Tote Maiden at Listowel today with a convincing success under Pat Smullen. Dermot Weld's charge tracked front-runner Zauffaly in the mile contest and the 8/13 favourite travelled sweetly into the lead a furlong-and-a-half from home. Smullen asked the Dutch Art gelding to stretch inside the final furlong and he galloped on strongly for a four-and-a-quarter length success. The winner was making his first start since finishing third to Irish Guineas winner Awtaad in a Leopardstown maiden last October. Mark Weld, son of the trainer, said: "We're very happy with him. He had a little hold up with him last year but his form was very strong. It's nice to confirm that form and he'll go for a handicap next." Smullen added:- "It was a very weak race and he handled conditions well. It's gluey ground but we'd have been disappointed if he had been beaten - he had some very good form last year." (Quotes by Thomas Weekes)
