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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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About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.