Salhooda justifies prohibitive odds

Salhooda appreciated the big drop in class from the Cheshire Oaks to a fillies winners’ race at Ballinrobe when making all to justify 30/100 favouritism under Pat Smullen.

The hot-favourite was well-supported on track from an opening show of 2/5 but those who took the odds had a few anxious moments as Kiss Goodnight (5/1) mounted a challenge in the straight.

However the Dermot Weld-trained daughter of Nayef found more than enough when asked a few questions by Smullen in the final furlong to score by two lengths. Musical Peace was prominent for much of the nine-furlong trip but wilted from the home turn to finish another six and a half lengths back in third.

Smullen said afterwards, “It wasn’t ideal making the running and she laboured a bit. She idled in front but I knew she’d find a bit and she’ll be a better filly with a lead.

“Alot of people doing the form failed to notice that she slipped at the first bend in Chester and that ended her chances.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy