Boadicea Belle recorded a 28/1 surprise in division two of the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Handicap at Dundalk.

A three-time winner on the all-weather at Chelmsford for Henry Spiller before joining Matt Smith in the autumn of 2022, the Holy Roman Emperor mare was placed three times here last year but was generally disappointing otherwise and came here off a six-month winter break.

Gary Carroll ’s mount tracked the front-running Cousin Shay and having been ridden to lead over a furlong out, got well on top in the closing stages to beat that rival by two and a half lengths. Lauroline finished a further two lengths away in third.

Smith said, "She was down to a mark that she could do something off. She ran well when beaten a length in third off 60 here last year and was also third off 58.

"She came back well after her break and I'm delighted for the owners who have been very patient. We thought once or twice last year that she might go close and it just didn't happen so I'm delighted now.

“She seems to be an all-weather horse and we'll see what we do with her now. She won three times at Chelmsford so she could possibly travel to England. Hopefully the handicapper doesn't go mad with her.”

Quotes by Gary Carson