Bass lands the Bud! The Budweiser Index EBF Maiden produced the finish of the week as three horses flashed past the post together, with the photo-finish camera showing that Sam Bass had just prevailed. Willie Supple's mount was hard pressed by both Monte Carlo (4/1) and the 7/4 favourite Harangue getting a strong drive from Pat Smullen on the outer. The 100/30 winner just held on by a short-head from the “jolly”, with Monte Carlo the same distance back in third. The latter was a little short of room between horses in the closing stages but, following a stewards enquiry, the placings remained unaltered. Winning trainer Noel Meade said, “We've always thought a lot of him as he shows plenty at home. He's been stopping as if there was some kind of slight blockage, and the tongue tie helped today. He's schooled well over hurdles and, like all the Alhaarth's I have, you only have to show him a hurdle and he knows how to jump.” Alan Magee
