Crystal Black off the mark for Weld

Crystal Black surged in to land the John Rochford Memorial Maiden over an extended mile and one in Ballinrobe.

The nicely backed 15/2 chance picked up strongly in fifth entering the home straight and rattled home to hit the front in the final 100 yards.

He won going away by three lengths for Dermot Weld. Witham River (6/1) got a runner-up reward by a short head from Manwal (2/1f).

Jockey Oisin Orr said: "He had a lovely run first time out and he probably just needed it. He came on a good bit from it.

"For most of the way around here he didn't travel but he hit the line well. Hopefully he learned a bit from today and he will progress.

"I think he will be a nice horse. He stays well and I think he will get a bit further too."

Crystal Black finished eighth on debut at Leopardstown in May.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy