Portage's Meld Second

Portage finished runner-up in the nine-furlong G3 ICON Meld Stakes at Leopardstown, Ireland, on the evening of Thursday, July 14.

The four-year Teofilo colt soon disputed the lead under James Doyle and took up the running after a furlong.

He still held the advantage with a furlong to go but could not resist the challenge of Decorated Knight who won by two lengths in 1m 55.93s on good to firm going.

Portage kept on to finish two and a quarter lengths ahead of the third, Adool.

Trainer Michael Halford said: "It was probably not ideal that Portage had to make the running and the fast ground was a bit quick for him.

"The winner swept past and Portage did not get the chance to battle back but, having said all that, he has run a good solid race and finished well ahead of the third.

"We are likely to step Portage back up to a mile and a quarter and look for genuinely good ground."