Taipan lands the odds with the minimum of fuss

Taipan followed up a short-priced success at Killarney last month with an equally emphatic victory in the Acro Fire & Safety (QR) Race.

Sent off the 8/11 favourite in the colours of Fiona Carmichael, the 101-rated gelding took over in front at halfway and was ridden clear in the straight to beat Mon Coeur by five and a half lengths.

Barry O’Neill was the man on board and said: "I had a chat with Shane (Foley, stable jockey) and he said to go forward on him as he stays really well. He won over 1m6f the last day so I wasn't going to be left caught for toe today.

"I was nearly turning down the back straight before I was able to pull him up although he wasn't doing a whole lot in front.

"He has a great mind, he really understands the game and it was my first time riding a horse by Frankel. He is very straightforward and a child would ride him. It's great to get the chance to ride for a super trainer like Jessica Harrington and I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Quotes from Tom Weekes