Wateed (Leigh Roche, nearside) just holds on from Duchess Andorra (Ronan Whelan)© Photo Healy Racing
Wateed enjoyed the unusual challenge presented by the track at Bellewstown when getting off the mark on outing number ten in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden.
Under man-in-form Leigh Roche (sixteenth winner of the season), the Iffraaj gelding dictated from the front and then held the challenge of the favourite, Duchess Andorra by a nose.
Roche remarked: "It's riding well but it's on the slow side."
On the Dermot Weld-trained victor the 3Ib claimer stated: "He battled well and he got a bit idle. He got an easy lead and he travelled away grand. That's his trip."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Bad News Bear trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically normal.
T.P. O'Shea, rider of Ducky Mallon trained by Donal Kinsella, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left and right in this race.
C.T. Keane, rider of Bad News Bear, trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount didn't handle the track.
(MG & EM)
