Stuccodor completes Weld big race double

Stuccodor completed a big race double for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen when landing the opening day feature of the new turf season at the Curragh, the www.thetote.com Irish Lincoln.

The Weld/Smullen alliance were also on target earlier in the afternoon when Vote Often gamely landed the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes.

A total of 21 went to post in a typically competitive renewal of the €100,000 Premier Handicap, and Stuccodor went off a well-backed 11/2 favourite (available at 8/1 this morning and 6/1 on course).

The five-year-old gelding, who completed a five-timer on the Flat last year and came here fit from a couple of hurdle runs over the winter, was produced to challenge under pressure by Smullen inside the final furlong.

Owned by Dundalk native Dominick Glennane, the son of Modigliani stayed on gamely to collar long-time leader That’s Plenty for a three quarter of a length success. Canary Row was a further length and a quarter back in third, with Bold Thady Quill completing the placings in fourth. Diesel Ten unseated Michael Hussey soon after leaving the stalls, while Barry McHugh parted company with the Richard Fahey-trained Lord Aeryn on the way to the mile start. The latter ran a fine race in the circumstances to finish fifth.

Weld said, “He’s been a very consistent horse for us, and was touched off by a stable-companion in a valuable handicap at Galway last year. He deserved a big pot like that.

“He’s very effective on that ground, and it was a very good ride by Pat. He’ll go back over hurdles later in the year.”

Weld also reports the promising Free Eagle, impressive winner of a Leopardstown juvenile maiden last year, in good shape saying, “He’s in great form, and will reappear in the Derrinstown Derby Trial. He’s a good-actioned horse and there is no rush.”