Graduate passes with flying colours

Notable Graduate landed the odds in good style at Tipperary, taking the mile-and-a-half maiden with the minimum of fuss.

It was a double on the card for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, who had earlier struck with Anderiego

Like his stable-mate Notable Graduate was well-backed (from 11/10 in morning into 2/5 on course).

Smullen sent his mount to the front over a furlong-and-a-half from home and he soon settled matters. Kasanka ran on well on her debut to take second, without threatening the winner, two-and-a-half lengths back.

The winner is set to be stepped up in class now and could run in a Derby trial.

"He's a lovely big powerful horse. He ran a very nice race at the Curragh last time and learned a lot from that," said Weld.

"He's a joy to train. Hopefully he'll have a big future and progress as the season goes on.

"He might run in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial next."

The son of Galileo is a half-brother to Refuse To Bend and Media Puzzle.