Weather for ducks & for Balladiene

"She likes to run when it's raining like that, when the rest of us want to be indoors," said trainer Jarlath Fahey after Balladiene (8s into 6s) justified market support in the Walls Handicap at Leopardstown much to the delight of her owners, the Firstseason Syndicate – their initial win in the game.

It wasn't before time either for the successful grouping as Fahey explained: "It's the first win for the syndicate. They've had three or four seconds with three defeats by short heads so it's great that this mare got her head in front.

"Ronan (Whelan) gave her a great ride. Some of the owners (from Monasterevin) are pals of his.

"The wet summer is suiting the mare and if it stays raining she'll be out again soon if we can find something suitable for her.

"She's won three times now and she's booked her place in the breeding paddocks. She'll probably be retired next year."

Tonight's win for Balladiene was achieved by the six-year-old getting on top inside the final hundred yards and she held the coming home well favourite Man Of Erin by half a length. Diamond Daze in her second go equipped with cheek-pieces, looked like she might finally shed her maiden tag at a stage up the straight here but she eventually faded back into fourth place. (GC & EM)