Embiran and Pat Smullen take the finale at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Ashraf didn't come up to the mark when last as favourite in the Tote Irish Lincolnshire but the day ended well for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen as another Aga Khan horse, Embiran landed the concluding Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at the Curragh.
In this mile finale, there was market interest in a few of them but at the finish Embiran (11/4 favourite), second on his only previous start at Cork back in October, had a length and a quarter in hand over Stellar Mass with the same distance back to his stable companion Shamreen in third.
"He's a nice horse and had the form there. He did what we expected," said Weld.
"It looked a good renewal of the maiden and he did it nicely.
"We'll bring him back a furlong and go for the Tetrarch. He's a horse with plenty of pace and we'll see how he goes there."
On Ashraf Weld said: "He was very disappointing. He was blowing heavily and gave a couple of coughs. He was beaten too early.
"There is no point scoping him straight away. It's much more accurate if you wait two hours.
"He worked nicely with the other horse (Embiran) on Friday."
His Joailliere was third in the Park Express at 3.50 and on her he reflected: "She ran a lovely race and will run back in the Gladness in two weeks time. For a filly that was off for so long it was a lovely run."
(GC & EM)
