Backdrop but only just Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen maintained their astounding form this campaign when Backdrop justified odds-on favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Wexford. A drifter 'on the shows' from 8/13 out to 4/5, those that invested were pretty happy through the contest as the Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned US-bred made the running. However it was a long last furlong for all involved and in the end Backdrop just held off second favourite Nancy Rose (100/30 into 5/2) by a short head. Smullen, moving on to the 24 winner mark for the season (Kevin Manning is 2nd on 16), said: "It looked a great opportunity. She has a nice pedigree and it was a weak race. I'm glad the line came when it did." For Weld this was success number 27 and that means he's 10 clear of his nearest pursuer, Jim Bolger. (DM & EM)
