RACING: Michael Hourigan's main reason for running King Carew at Tralee yesterday was to restore the horse's confidence, and it seemed the main aim of his Denny Havasnack opposition was to help him achieve it.

Ridden by Hourigan's daughter, Laura, King Carew set off in front and was quickly a furlong clear.

From half way it was pretty obvious that he was building an unassailable lead but by the time that dawned on the rest, King Carew had flown.

He strode past the line 25 lengths clear and returned to a trainer well pleased with how his plan had worked out.

"He had a horrific fall at Galway and the main idea today was to get his confidence back. But he hasn't just won, he has bolted up and it was never in doubt from a long way," Hourigan said.

As a three-year-old, King Carew ran 11th to Galileo in the Epsom Derby and that latent pace meant it was always dangerous to give him too much leeway.

The favourite, Royal Alphabet, kept on to be third and trainer Willie Mullins said: "It was over after 200 yards. I can't blame Jamie (Codd) because I told him to drop in, but the winner only went a normal pace and the second and third should have kept him in tow."

Dermot Weld saddled his fourth winner of the week when Noahs Ark made a winning debut in the two-year-old maiden but Weld is closing in on an even more important number.

"He is less than 30 winners off a career total of 3,000 and we are closing rapidly," explained Weld's son, Mark.

"If we continue to have a good week, and maybe a good Listowel, he could have it before the end of the season. But I would say he will definitely get it before the end of the year," he added.

Colonel Bradley justified favouritism in the Denny Handicap Chase and if the ground remains quick, the Kerry National could be next for the Charlie Swan-trained runner.

"He has been plagued by injuries and has broken down twice, but he loves to hop off fast ground," said Swan.

Paul Carberry was struck in the face by his horse's head in this race and was stood down until tomorrow with mild concussion.

A last flight peck by Ballygill Heights swung the five-year-old maiden hurdle the way of Arctic Passage.

The winner in turn survived a stewards' inquiry into possible interference with the well-backed favourite Niylawar who finished fourth.