Simsir leads home Halford 1, 2 Mick Halford saddled a 1, 2 in the last at Cork, the Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurance Maiden, as newcomer Simsir led home stable companion Hazran. The runner-up was returned the 2/1 favourite, with the successful son of Zoffany sent off an unconsidered 25/1 chance. Settled in mid-division by Niall McCullagh, the winner was pushed along and made good progress from the two furlong pole. He went in pursuit of the market leader inside the final furlong and got to the front with less than 100 yards left to race, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Hazran had to settle for the runner-up berth for the fourth time in-a-row, while Istoria (6/1) was another length and a quarter back in third. "He's a lovely big horse. He was raw at home and we thought he'd benefit from the run. He was green and he had a wide draw," said Halford, who trains both the winner and the runner-up for the Aga Khan. "When they get to this stage of the year and they haven't had a run you'd expect them to be big and backward but Niall said he was a different horse, even cantering to the start, and he came alive on the day. "We liked him but we just wanted to get him started so it's great he won. He picked up well, Niall said he got a lovely position from his wide draw and said anywhere he wanted to put him in the race he could be there. "He could be a nice horse, he wouldn't be the first to be idle at home and then come alive at the races. I prefer it that way." On the runner-up, Halford added: "That's the story of his life, he just keeps running in to one. "He's doing nothing wrong, he just keeps meeting one too good but he'll have his day too." STEWARDS REPORT * The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Hazran, ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed second, Modred, ridden by C.D. Hayes, unplaced, All Our Tomorrows, ridden by O.J. Orr, placed sixth and Firey Flower, ridden by B.M. Coen, unplaced, where it appeared Modred and All our Tomorrows made contact several times. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
