71/1 brace for Smullen at Gowran

She had eye-shields on the last couple of times but switched to blinkers on this occasion Misty Lane brought up a double for her rider Pat Smullen (earlier on the mark for his boss Dermot Weld on Leafcutter in the Gowran Park Golf Club Societies Welcome Handicap.

A week on from their big Listed race success at Cork with Timeless Call, similar tactics were deployed with the Roberts/Smullen representative here as she made all.

Smullen swung wide into the straight on the daughter of Ad Valorem and it was soon apparent that her rivals had a mountain to climb to try and reel her in.

Thursday evening's Leopardstown winner Naoise did best of the rest, staying on well in the closing stages but he was still half a length adrift of Misty Lane (10s into 8s) at the finish.

"I wasn't really expecting her to win but she has good form and Pat gave her an excellent ride, he made the difference. She liked the ground and she will go for another handicap next," stated Roberts in the aftermath.

D.M. Grant, rider of Measured Approval trained by Patrick J.Flynn, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung badly in the closing stages.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Chinanigans trained by P.F.McEnery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly and ran short of room in the straight.

C.P. Hoban, rider of Gold Tantrum trained by Seamus Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room and was eased thereafter.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Cottrell (GB), ridden by N.G. McCullagh, unplaced, Measured Approval, ridden by D.M. Grant, placed third, Granny On Fire ridden by W.J. Lee, unplaced, Gold Tantrum, ridden by C.P. Hoban, unplaced and Elusive Gent ridden by Gearoid Patrick Brouder, unplaced, where it appeared interference had taken place.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.M. Grant was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for two racedays.

(DM & EM)