Smitty Bacall and David Kiely© Photo Healy Racing
Smitty Bacall stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the concluding bumper at Tramore for local trainer Shay Barry.
David Kiely held his mount up in the two-mile contest before asking him to take closer order coming down the hill.
The 10/1 shot hit the front a furlong from home and galloped on strongly in the closing stages for a three-and-a-half length victory over Burrows Lane
Barry's charge was another to reward good support today having been as big as 33/1 this morning.
The Willie Mullins newcomer Bakougan sent off the 9/4 favourite, could only finish a well-beaten fifth.
Smitty Bacall had been a well-beaten sixth in a heavy ground bumper at Thurles on his sole previous start in January.
"I'm delighted with him. It was touch and go whether we'd run him on the ground,” said Barry.
“We ran him back in the winter on real heavy ground and he hated it so we were waiting for the nice ground. I walked it this morning at half six and I thought it was lovely, it dried out all day so I was little bit worried.
“He is a nice horse and I'm delighted for his owners who are all local.
“They had Palm Sur (half-sister to the winner) with me last year. She won two bumpers and was Listed placed.
“He is fine big horse and he will probably go hurdling now. Touch wood he will be okay in the morning. It seems to be a lucky track for us.
“David is from Stradbally and he comes in every morning. He is a good lad and is good value for his seven pounds."
(Quotes by Donal Murphy)
