Kitten a Lucky one for favourite backers

The money early in the day was all for Indian Icon in the Bet Online At Thetote.com Handicap but on track they came back for the Dermot Weld trained Lucky Kitten (2/1 into 11/8). Those that kept the faith with the Rosewell House team were rewarded, as Pat Smullen got his mount home in a war of attrition at Galway.

Smullen kept wide on the American-bred and in this four runner affair he found enough inside the last to see off the aforementioned Indian Icon and Capitol Hill by a length and half a length. They left Luna Forest thirty nine lengths behind in last.

Weld, registering his fourth success of the Festival, said: "Pat kept out for the better ground. He's a grand horse – he's tough and he battled well.

"My biggest problem now is that the ground is gone for most of my horses but we'll battle on anyway."

Smullen reasoned: "I've had one (winner) each day and I'm happy enough. This fella is a very very strong horse and his physical strength was the key today.

"The ground is atrocious. There's no point going on the inside so I kept wide and happily it worked out." (TW & EM)