Whelan adds to Moyglare glory with more gains on Spain Ronan Whelan followed up his Moyglare Stud Stakes heroics on Sunday with another success for champion trainer Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners at Punchestown today, as Port Of Spain (5/4f) landed the Punchestown Is Back Maiden. Whelan, successful on Precise on Sunday, produced Port Of Spain from off the pace to challenge on the outer entering the home straight, with the pair holding on for a half-length win over Back Straight . O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong reported “he had two lovely runs in hot Curragh maidens so I suppose on form he was the top pick. It was a bit messy from the start but in fairness Ronan got him in and got him going. He hit the line well. “Ronan felt there is plenty of improvement in him and that trip is perfect for him at the moment. I suppose he’ll be in the mix for the Beresford or he could even step up for the Eyrefield. We’ll see how he comes through it but he’s definitely a stakes horse in the making. “The sire (St Mark’s Basilica) has been very good to us and is absolutely flying now. We have a lovely bunch of them and you’d love to have more. They are going the right way.” Quotes from Gary Carson
