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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Lanyard hacks up on debut

Tue 17th Sep 2013, 16:31

Lanyard and Pat Smullen stride away from their rivalsLanyard and Pat Smullen stride away from their rivals
© Photo Healy Racing

Perhaps it was the combination of being an American-bred on debut on heavy ground that deterred punters from Lanyard #8217;s chances, but she didn’t know about these concerns as she won convincingly in Listowel.

Dermot Weld’s juvenile filly was as short as 13/8 this morning but won at 4/1 with Pat Smullen doing the steering. She found the lead with a furlong and a half to race and finished the job off in good style to win by five lengths.

“We liked her before the race, but I was fearful of the ground as she’s by an American sire, but she got through it well and has a bit of class,” Pat Smullen commented.

“She travelled well through the race and in those conditions it was a good performance. Hopefully she’s a nice filly for next year.” Princess Pearlita who had been well supported during the day, kept on stoutly from rear division to take second at 7/4, ahead of 5/4 favourite Craic Agus Spraoi

Dermot Weld is now six from 13 in two-year-old races at Listowel in the last five years.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.