Smithfield battles well to take the opener

The opening race on the final day of the Killarney July Festival, the Corcoran's Furniture & Carpets Maiden, went to the Noel Meade trained Smithfield with Emmet McNamara in the saddle.

The 4yo son of Cape Cross made the early running and then disputed the lead with Silver Chief as they entered the straight.

He found more inside the final furlong and kept on best to score by three parts of a length at the line.

The Tony Martin trained Ted Veale stayed on well to take second at 13/2 under Michael Hussey while Silver Chief was a further half a length back in third for Michael Winters and Seamie Heffernan at the odds of 7/2 (backed from 9/2 on course).

The winner was losing his maiden tag today on the eighth time of asking having put in some good efforts in defeat last year.

On his first start of 2012 he finished a well beaten ninth of thirteen behind Whatever Jacksays in testing conditions at Leopardstown last month.

Having opened at 6/1 this morning with Boylesports, he opened on course at just 5/2 and was backed into 2/1 favourite at the off.

Smithfield is a half-brother to the Ralph Beckett trained six time winner Vulcanite who finished tenth in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Listed winner on the level Circassian.