Tarry Flynn crowned a memorable afternoon for trainer Dermot Weld when capturing the #65,000 Thoroughbred County Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh.
The blinkered top-weight, recording his second victory in the prestigious handicap, was the final leg of a superb 241/1 treble for the stable, all of them partnered by stable jockey Pat Smullen.
The successes of Theatregoer and Beyond Borders at Listowel made it five winners in all for Weld, who was full of praise for his big-race hero : 'This race has been his target for some time, and I thought that was a smashing weight-carrying performance. Valuable prizes like this mean there is more of an incentive to keep these older horses in training.'
Lethal Agenda had set the ball rolling for the Weld/Smullen alliance when making every yard of the running to see of the odds-on Black Minnaloushe in the Listed Loughbrown Stakes.
The American-bred colt spent the winter in Dubai, and the trainer was quick to acknowledge that his two outings in the desert had given him a fitness advantage. 'He'll probably go for the Tetrarch Stakes next ; he seems to be better on grass than sand,' he added.
Final Exam provided the second leg of the trio when outpointing his eight rivals in the 5f Ballymany Handicap. Described by his handler as 'a very game sort who goes on the (soft) ground', the four year-old is likely to go for a similar contest next time.
Aidan O'Brien unleashed a potentially useful juvenile in the opening 5f maiden when Rock Of Gibraltar scored in good style.
The Danehill colt quickened well to see off Sandford Park by two lengths, and is regarded by his trainer as possible Royal Ascot material. 'He's done very little work at home and should get further in due course,' said O'Brien.
The Ballydoyle maestro and jockey Mick Kinane were back in the winner's enclosure later in the afternoon when Toroca, runner-up in last season's Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, opened her account in the 6f Newbridge Maiden. A return to Group company is now on the cards for the filly after this 1 1/2 length triumph over Longueville Legend.
Dance Till Dawn ran out an impressive winner of the concluding 1m EBF Fillies Race for Jessica Harrington and Fran Berry.
