Smullen completes opening race double

Former champion jockey Pat Smullen recorded an opening race double when he won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race aboard the 7/4 favourite Anaverna

Smullen produced the Galileo filly to challenge inside the final furlong and his mount responded well to pressure to get up in the closing stages and deny Alshahbaa by a head.

Winning jockey Smullen stated: “She stuck at it well and they went a very good pace.”

“She did very well to get by the leader in the straight.”

Smullen was on the mark in the previous race when Snap Alam recorded a length and quarter win in the Tipperary Water Median Auction Maiden.