Media Puzzle failed to really advertise his Irish Derby claims despite justifying odds of 3/1 on in the concluding EBF Race at Cork yesterday evening. Pat Smullen had to give the Theatrical colt a strong drive to master newcomer Glyndebourne inside the final furlong for a three quarters of a length victory.
'He is a lazy horse, and still a big baby,' said trainer Dermot Weld afterwards. He added: 'He will probably go next for a twelve furlong conditions race at Leopardstown, and could be an Irish Derby horse.'
Smullen was completing a double having earlier partnered the Ben Lawlor-trained Lady Ellen-M to beat the staying on Irish Lady also by three quarters of a length in the EBF Fillies Handicap.
John Murtagh was also in double form taking the other two Flat events on the card abaord Eveam and Just Wondering, while National Hunt champion elect Barry Geraghty partnered both chase winners, Jolly Side and Twilight Buck.
The Tierney family from Kinsale had an evening to remember when Ardkilly Eclipse landed the featured EBF Premier NH Fillies Bumper. Rory Tierney (16) always had the 5/4 favourite near the pace, and she held the gambled-on Moll Kettle by a length.
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