Can't Stop Smiling (far right) clears the last under Charlie O'Dwyer© Photo Healy Racing
Can't Stop Smiling followed-up on her recent course win, as she claimed the feature at Ballinrobe this evening, the Monroe's Live John Monroe Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle.
A 12 length winner on her handicap debut, the Aidan Howard-trained five-year-old was upped 13lb in the handicap and was sent off an 11/4 chance this evening.
Given a patient ride by Charlie O'Dwyer, the JP McManus-owned victor took closer order from the third last and came with her challenge on the outer approaching the final flight.
Not fluent there, she was soon ridden and swept to the front inside the final furlong and kept on well in the closing stages to hold off the fast-finishing Vischio by half-a-length
The runner-up was returned at 12/1 under Danny Mullins for Dick Donohoe, while Royal Eagle (11/4) was another length-and-three-quarters away in third.
Returned the 9/4 favourite, Calico faded in the closing stages and finished fifth under Danny Gilligan.
"It was a good performance to defy the penalty for winning here the last day. She probably got caught a bit wide today and it was a more tactical affair," the winning rider commented.
"It was a strong pace the last day and she was able to pick up the pieces but she's improved again from that. I was claiming seven the last day and I'm down to five now, so you could say she was 15lb higher in total.
"She's lightly raced and was running around a little bit but her jumping was very good and when she switches off, she has plenty of toe to finish off."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
