An opening race 34/1 brace was completed for Dermot Weld and Declan McDonogh in race two at Leopardstown with Rakan (5s into 4s) scoring on his second start.

In this Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden (Plus 10 Race) Ballydoyle newcomer Gentle Bellini (11/2 into 7/2 favourite) came in for plenty of support.

However he could manage only fourth as up front Rakan got the better of fellow Sea The Stars colt, Mr Secretary by two and three parts of a length.

Mrs Harrington has care of the runner-up for Mill House LLC, and she also saddled the third home, Marshall Law

"He's a nice colt and I see him as a potential Stakes horse for next year. He's a lovely balanced colt, and I thought it would take a smart horse to beat him today," said Weld.

"He will reappear in something like the Derrinstown Derby Trial, and is a horse that I can see going a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half.

"He's a lovely actioned horse, gets low to the ground. He improved nicely from his first run and there is a lot more improvement in him.

"I trained his dam Tarfasha. She finished second in the Oaks and won the Blandford — a very good filly."

R.P. Cleary, rider of Cuban Hope trained by J. S. Bolger, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount had a look at the road crossing.

R.C. Colgan, rider of Patience Patience trained by Mrs.Jessica Magnier, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.

(AM & EM)