Weld star sold Irish Racing

 RACING: The 2,000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud but is still set to race for the Moyglare Stud in next month's Breeders' Cup Mile.

The Darley spokesman John Ferguson confirmed the deal yesterday. "The deal is that he will be leased to Mr (Walter) Haefner, and should Dermot Weld wish to run the horse in the Breeders' Cup Mile he will run in Mr Haefner's colours.

"There is no plan one way or the other about the horse racing as a four-year-old. He has been bought primarily as a stallion prospect, but the racing option is open to us too."

Refuse To Bend is by Sadler's Wells and is a half brother to the Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle. However, he has been primarily campaigned at a mile and last ran down the field in the Prix du Moulin. Weld blamed a slow early pace for that defeat and has said he believes the Santa Anita race on October 25th will be ideal for the colt.

Claiming rider John Allen pursues the most significant success of his fledgling career today on Hanorla in Listowel's second-day highlight, the Lartigue Hurdle.

Co Cork-born Allen (18), achieved headlines last week when he partnered the Grand National winner Monty's Pass in a hurdle race at Tipperary, but it could be worth betting now that the headlines will be of the winning variety.

Certainly if this race were in Tipperary then Hanorla would be even more fancied, as the Joe Crowley horse is something of a course specialist there.

Nevertheless, Hanorla has run well around Listowel's tight track before and comes here in winning form after beating Cloone River on the flat.

Aidan O'Brien gives Rock Of Gibraltar's brother Rock Of Cashel a fourth start in the maiden, but this colt has indicated already he may not be the most reliable customer.

So taking too short a price about the Ballydoyle runner might not be advisable, and Dermot Weld's Forty Grand showed enough behind The Mighty Tiger on his debut to suggest he could be an alternative.

Ocean Bounty didn't face anything like the bend he will have to cope with today when making his debut at the Curragh, but that second to Venturi stands out in the opener.