Trainer Dermot Weld and stable jockey Pat Smullen have made a blistering start to the new season and the pair combined to win the Fairyhouse Welcomes Competitors Of The Tattersalls International Horse Trials Rated Race Fairyhouse today with dropping-in-trip Morselle in the colours of Khalid Abdullah.

Weld and Smullen were recording, respectively, their 31st and 38th winners of the new season and following Morselle's neck win over Zunera Smullen stated "she's tough and genuine. The drop back in trip was a little bit of a gamble but she showed plenty of pace in Dundalk.

"She really wants seven furlongs and that's why she won, because she outstayed the other filly.

"She's won two now and we'll see what the handicapper does. Long-term you'd love to get a little bit of black-type with her later in the year."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson