Weld & Smullen dominate at the Curragh

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen teamed up for a treble at the Curragh, with Muakaad and Cool Clarity both recording Listed race wins in convincing fashion.

Cool Clarity heads next for the Entenmann`s Irish 1,000 Guineas after an impressive victory in the Entrepreneur EBF Athasi Stakes. The Indian Ridge filly cruised to the front well over a furlong out, and quickly drew clear to beat the well-backed Rose Gypsy (10/1 to 6/1) by three lengths.

`She settled the race in a few strides like a good horse should, and will go for the Irish Guineas`, said Weld of his 300th winner at the Curragh.

Muakaad earlier booked his place in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup when justifying 11/10 favouritism in the Mooresbridge Stakes.

`He`s a proper horse` declared Weld after the four-year-old travelled strongly to lead a furlong out before quickening clear to beat Bach by three and a half lengths. `The Tattersalls Gold Cup is his next objective, and he will give a good account of himself. A mile and a quarter is his trip`, added the master of Rosewell House.

The Weld/Smullen alliance completed a successful afternoon when Media Puzzle made all to beat Ancelin by a length and a half in the concluding mile and six furlongs conditions race. The Theatrical gelding will go next for the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown, and Weld gave a key to his future when also commenting: `He dosen`t half jump!`

Aidan O`Brien landed the Tetrarch Stakes for the third time in five years but not as planned, with outsider Modigliani overturning odds-on stablemate Mozart.

Paul Scallan made all on the Danzig colt, keeping on gamely to hold off Scarlet Velvet and 2/5 chance Mozart, with just two lengths covering the five runners.

`Mozart has been working exceptional at home. Michael (Kinane) said he gave a big heave, and may still have needed the run`, said O`Brien. He added: `Modigliani put on 25 kilos over the winter, and we have always thought he was a good horse`.

Tendulkar got the afternoon off to a good start for the O`Brien/Kinane team when quickening up well inside the final furlong to beat fellow newcomer Keepers Hill by two lengths in the five furlongs juvenile maiden.

`He is a smart colt, and has plenty of speed`, said O`Brien, who added: `He can go anywhere!` when asked if the son of Spinning World would be on his Royal Ascot team.

Freud completed a treble for the Ballydoyle yard when landing some hefty wagers - evens to 2/5 - in the mile maiden. The full-brother to Giant`s Causeway, blinkered for the first time, made smooth headway to lead inside the final furlong for a comfortable length and a half verdict over Julie Jalouse.

`He needs to be produced with a late challenge, and will go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas`, said O`Brien.

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