Cheers Buddy delights Smyth

Cheers Buddy swooped under Chris Hayes to land the seven furlong handicap at Down Royal.

Lee Smyth's seven-year-old gelding came with a rattling run down the outside at the furlong pole to take over. He quickly pulled away to win by three and a quarter lengths at 7/1. Ask Dad a 5/1 joint favourite, took second. He was a length and a quarter in front of Pierre D'Or in third at 8/1. Regal Power the other 5/1 joint favourite, weakened to finish 12th.

Local trainer Lee Smyth said: "That's his fifth win for us - four came on the all-weather and he was beginning to look a one-trick pony.

"We are only 10 minutes away and came over last night and walked the track. We didn't think he would be too far away. Hopefully he can go back to Dundalk in the winter and win again.

"He is owned by Yvonne Lowe from Doncaster."