Cork Report (Sat)
The all-flat card at Cork on Saturday was predictably poorly supported by both trainers and punters alike but as only he can, Dermot Weld took full advantage to land three winners, a treble shared with his stable jockey, Pat Smullen.
After sending out odds-on favourite Final Exam to easily win the four runner European Breeders Fund Race, Weld said, 'It is a pity there are not more runners, trainers have no excuses. I had a good walk on the track and it is in excellent condition, a credit to everyone at Cork.'
Pat Smullen was seen at his very best when just getting Lunardi home in the Buttevant Maiden. The well-backed 4 to 1 chance appeared to have little or no chance early in the straight, but under a tremendous drive, led close home to beat Pro Dancer by a short-head.
The champion jockey had a much easier time of it on Jammaal in the Lee Race, another four runner affair, drawing clear of his stable companion Mutakarrim two furlongs out to win in a canter.
Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Castle Gandolfo made a pleasing debut in the European Breeders Fund Maiden, comfortably beating the more experienced Marionnaud under Michael Kinane.
'He is a lovely horse, but was a little green today having never been away from home before. He will be entered in all the Group races', said the winning trainer.
Johnny Murtagh landed two winners of his own, he won the Clonakilty Handicap on Jacks Estate, trained by Adrian McGuinness, and the European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden on John Oxx's Gaelic Queen.
