Mads Black Eights delights Smith

Declan McDonogh plotted a wide path on Mads Black Eights in the straight at Leopardstown and the pair finished off powerfully down the centre to pick up the spoils in the first split of the 1m1f handicap.

The winner improved to sixth approaching the final furlong and came home best of all to lead in the final 150 yards. The six-year-old mare swept in by a length and three quarters at 22/1. Philly's Hope who was a recent winner in Gowran Park, took the runner-up berth at 9/1. Reverberation who made eye-catching headway racing to the final furlong, was third at 11/2 with Sierra Nevada fourth at 40/1.

“I'm delighted for Alan (Morrell) and his wife Sheila,” said trainer Matthew Smith.

“They've been very patient with the filly, they had plenty of faith in her and gave her plenty of chances.

“She has plenty of ability and Declan gave her a great ride, he took his time on her.

“Her dam (Boynagh Joy) was good and Alan bred her, that's why he persevered with her.

“She has shown snippets of form, we tried a tongue-tie on her the last day and she didn't like it.

“She ran a couple of good races at Dundalk during the winter, she got a bump one night and I think it frightened her.

“She's genuine, tough, and showed a nice little turn of foot there. We'll look for something similar.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson