Night justifies odds-on favouritism

Stay De Night justified odds-on favouritism as he ran out a comfortable winner of the opener at Limerick, the Croom House Stud 3yo Maiden.

Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Smullen, the gelded son of Shamardal was available at 7/4 in a place this morning, opening on-course at 8/11 before going off the clear favourite at 4/5.

Slowly away he quickly made up ground to settle in mid-division, just behind the leaders, racing mainly in third.

He made smooth progress from two furlongs out and soon disputed the lead, hitting the front a furlong from home before going on to score in convincing fashion by two and three parts of a length Bad News Bear kept on to take second at 4/1 under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while Kodaic’s Back was a further length behind in third under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane at 10/1.

Kris Weld said afterwards: "It wasn't the strongest of races ever run and he will go for a handicap next. He will get another furlong or two and a mile is probably his trip.

The winner is a half-brother to Polished Rock, Late Day Sun and Encrypted Message, all who have won twice.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes