Graduate passes with flying colours Notable Graduate landed the odds in good style at Tipperary, taking the mile-and-a-half maiden with the minimum of fuss. It was a double on the card for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, who had earlier struck with Anderiego. Like his stable-mate Notable Graduate was well-backed (from 11/10 in morning into 2/5 on course). Smullen sent his mount to the front over a furlong-and-a-half from home and he soon settled matters. Kasanka ran on well on her debut to take second, without threatening the winner, two-and-a-half lengths back. The winner is set to be stepped up in class now and could run in a Derby trial. "He's a lovely big powerful horse. He ran a very nice race at the Curragh last time and learned a lot from that," said Weld. "He's a joy to train. Hopefully he'll have a big future and progress as the season goes on. "He might run in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial next." The son of Galileo is a half-brother to Refuse To Bend and Media Puzzle.
