Smullen cuts deficit on impressive Broghie

The Broghie Man quickened up in impressive fashion to open his account on his first outing for Adrian Keatley in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan.

Pat Smullen moved to within four of Colin Keane in the title race after the victory in the five furlong contest.

The well backed 5/2 shot (from 8/1 this morning) tracked the leaders early on and was disputing at halfway.

Smullen asked his mount for an effort going to the furlong pole and he soon settled matters, going on for a comprehensive seven length success. It's All A Joke won the duel for the runner-up spot with Early Call 11/10 favourite Cheering could only finish fourth.

The winner had been placed twice for Brendan Duke on five previous outings and had been sixth in a valuable sales race at Naas just ten days ago.

“I just fed him for a week and the only thing I did was stick a tongue tie on him. In fairness to Brendan he had a suspicion that he rattled a bit the last day,” said Keatley.

“He handled the ground. The dam is by Dutch Art and I didn’t mind dropping him back to five. I’d say his experience won the day.

“There might not be much left for him (this season) but we’ll have a good look and see if we can find something.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)