Dartan keeps winning for Smith Dartan finished with a flourish to bring up his hat-trick in the extended two mile five maiden hurdle in Ballinrobe. He went off 6/4 favourite after his exploits on the Flat that saw him win on the Polytrack at Dundalk and on turf at Navan. Ryan Treacy came in for the ride for the injured Sam Ewing and had his mount in contention between the final two flights. He came off the bridle before the last in his pursuit of Manisanda and came widest of the three into the straight with Western Walk between horses. Inside the final furlong, Manisanda and Western Walk were tussling away but Dartan mugged them both close home to win by half a length. Western Walk finished second at 10/3 (from 9/2) and was a neck in front of Manisanda (easy-to-back 9/4). Trainer Matthew Smith said: “He’s a laid-back horse who just does enough. I don’t think he’s one that’s ever going to win by too far. “He stays well and you’d imagine three miles will be no problem to him. He just switches off nicely and he jumped well today. I’d say that track would be tight enough for him as well. “We’ll continue to mix and match and maybe pick out a nice handicap on the Flat with him before too long.” Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
