Smullen doubles up in Gowran finale

Just three horses contested the concluding Golf Societies Welcome Race at Gowran today, with victory going to the Dermot Weld trained Zafilani which made all to complete a double for jockey Pat Smullen.

The Aga Khan owned winner appeared likely to be headed by both Royal Navy Ship and Mohaayed with two furlongs out but proved much more willing in the closing stages, eventually rallying to beat Royal Navy Ship by half a length.

Afterwards Weld stated "it was an interesting race and a smashing race for just three runners. It just goes to show you don't need a big field to have a great race.

"He'll have a crack now at either a Group or Listed race. He won his maiden and now a conditions race, and loves the dry ground."

Reflecting on the disappointing performance of his Carla Bianca in the feature event, he added "hindsight is a wonderful thing but if you look back to last year she was beaten at a short price in Dundalk and again at Naas before she got going from June onwards. She will have a break now.

"The horse beside her (Queen Of Alba) got upset in the stalls and that didn't help."

Smullen had earlier steered Not A Bad Oul Day to win a handicap for trainer Dot Love.

Postulation (stone bruise) was a morning absentee from the declared four runner field. By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee