Reigning champion Pat Smullen helped himself to a fabulous 1652/1 four-timer at Leopardstown this afternoon to open up a significant gap over Johnny Murtagh and Mick Kinane in the exciting jockeys' title race. Popular veteran Free To Speak kicked off a great day for the talented rider, showing that he is no back number when producing his customary finishing kick to take the one mile race.
Smullen began the day level with Murtagh, but the nine year-old's two-and-a-half length defeat of favourite Shoal Creek propelled him back to the head of affairs. "He would have been retired if he hadn't made the first three today, but he'll be back next season now," revealed a delighted Dermot Weld afterwards.
Smullen was seen at his best when driving Creux Noir to the front inside the last in the one mile one furlong handicap to give himself and his boss their second of the afternoon. The five-year-old was thus reversing form with Masnada, who had beaten him into second in the corresponding race last year, but was a neck adrift this time.
Winner number three came courtesy of the much-improved Tortue, who scored for the third time in four outings with a gutsy one-and-a-half length triumph in Division Two of the one mile one furlong handicap. Then, in the closing one mile two furlong maiden, Triple Try romped home by six lengths to make it four for Smullen and three for Weld.
The tremendously progressive Marionnaud extended her winning sequence to four when making a successful jump to Listed class in the Silken Glider Stakes. Confidently ridden by Kevin Manning, the Spectrum filly led entering the final furlong and held the persistent Luminous Beauty by what looked a comfortable short-head. Remarkably, her run of victories has been achieved in the space of just nineteen days, with the previous one coming in last Sunday's Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas. Manning later doubled up aboard Slightly Swift, who returned to form when swooping late to take Division One of the one mile one furlong handicap for the Jim Gorman stable.
And Aidan O'Brien received a timely boost ahead of tonight's Breeder's Cup meeting when the well-supported Ballingarry routed the opposition in the opening one mile two-year-old maiden. This was the race in which Galileo made such a scintillating debut twelve months ago, and while he may not emulate the achievements of his illustrious stable-mate, the successful 2/1 favourite nevertheless appears to have a bright future. Considered unlucky at Tipperary last time, he was always prominent, and stretched right away in the straight for a six-length margin over promising newcomer Ancestor.
The valuable six furlong handicap resulted in an exciting conclusion, with the field stretched right across the track entering the final furlong. Tiger Royal looked the likely winner entering the final furlong, but was collared close to home by the fast-finishing 12/1 shot Tender Cove, who got the verdict by three-quarters of a length.
Filed by Shane Murray
