Doin bounces back to form after injury

Wat Ua Doin defied top-weight in the mares handicap hurdle at Tramore with a gutsy win.

The Matthew Smith-trained mare had been well-beaten on her return at Navan last month but stepped forward from that run to record a second career success.

She was produced to challenge at the second last (normal three out) by Darragh O'Keeffe in the two-mile-five contest and gained a narrow lead on the run-in.

The Dylan Thomas mare stuck on well to record a two-and-a-quarter length win over Fons Vivus

Smith said: "She won in Wexford, was second in Punchestown and got injured then and was off for a long time.

“She ran in Navan the last day and was just a bit fresh and keen. We knew she'd come on well for it after not having run in so long. 

"We are delighted with that today and it's nice to see her come back and win after returning from injury. She is straightforward, she jumped well, travelled away and when he asked her to go, she had no problem in quickening up. 

“She has plenty of ability and we will see what the handicapper gives her now. We might pick out something around Christmas for her. 

"Bryan (Cooper) was sore and was stood down but we had a great replacement in Darragh." 

The last hurdle was omitted again due to the low lying sun.

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)