Curragh trainer Dermot Weld provided what is sure to be one of the training feats of the year when producing 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle to win the feature event at Leopardstown this evening.
The injury prone 9yo gelding landed the E60,000 Listed Seamus McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes, bridging a gap of three and a half years to his most 'recent' win, in the Stg#871,479 to-the-winner Australian race.
Jockey Pat Smullen tracked the leaders on the blinkered son of Theatrical who improved to lead a furlong out before staying on well for a length win over Good Surprise.
Afterwards a delighted Weld mentioned 'that was a really brave performance and he is a magnificent specimen of a horse although he has had chronic leg trouble.'
He added 'he needs a lot of minding but will now go for the Ascot Gold Cup.'
Half an hour later, Smullen and Weld combined for a double when Reform Act stayed on well to win the Cova Properties Handicap.
Trainer Jim Bolger received a boost following Galatee's enforced withdrawal (blood disorder) from Friday's English Oaks when his Zacharova landed the Castlewood Handicap, under David Moran.
A winner at The Curragh on Sunday, Zacharova raced prominently throughout, eventually staying on well for a comfortable three length win over Silly Dancer.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden went to Ger Lyons' well supported 11/8 favourite Howya Now Kid, under Johnny Murtagh.
The son of Daggers Drawn was a good second at Tipperary recently and showed the benefit of the run, breaking well, racing prominently throughout, before hitting the front early in the straight, staying on for a half length win over El Soprano.
David Wachman's He's A Decoy arrived late to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, under Wayne Lordan while Tom McCourt saddled the first two home in the Kilmacud Handicap, headed by Rookwith, under Colm O'Donoghue.
