WESPERADA, who opened his account over hurdles at Gowran Park earlier this month, repeated his course and distance success last evening after a blanket finish in the John M Foley Hurdle.
Fly Rosey, who held the advantage over the penultimate flight, and the well supported favourite, Fresh Deal, jumped the final flight in unison with Wesperada tacked in behind. Despite an error by Wesperada, John Shortt conjured up a renewed challenge on Noel Meade's charge to just land the spoils by a neck, with Fresh Deal and Fly Rosey dead heating for the minor honours.
Pat Smullen was suspended far two days for using his whip excessively on Dawn's Folly, who finished fourth behind the Eddie Lynam trained winner Far Niente in the Bagenalstown claiming race.
Partnered by champion rider John Murtagh, who partners the supplemented Sharaf, Kabeer in next Sunday's Budweiser Derby, the 3 to 1 chance edged ahead before the furlong pole to easily beat the Jim Bolger trained Last Project and Kevin Manning by two and a half lengths.
Manning and Bolger had better luck with Via Bolero, an unconsidered 16 to 1 chance who just held on to take the June Handicap from the fast finishing Marionette, the mount of Mick Kinane.
"We schooled him over hurdles at Tipperary and that changed his mind," said the Coolcullen handler.
