Pat Martin and red-hot apprentice a Pretty Smart combination The Fermoy Hospice Handicap saw 6/1 chance Pretty Smart follow up last month’s course and distance victory off an 8lb higher mark. That win had come on fast ground, but the daughter of Dandy Man has winning form on a soft surface as well and had no problem with underfoot conditions here to gain a fifth career success. She travelled well in a prominent position for Dylan Browne McMonagle and made her bid racing to the furlong marker. Roxette (7/1), who led a group of four on the far side, was making the best of her way home at that point but Pretty Smart took her measure in the closing stages to score by two lengths. There was plenty of support for Lord McZie (12/1 into 11/2 fav on the show), who had finished fifth at Tipperary last night, and he ran on without threatening the principals for third place a further length and a half away. It was winner number 33 of the season for the winning rider, and six of those have been provided by winning trainer Pat Martin, who said: “She was very unlucky in Fairyhouse when she got no run and then Dylan couldn't ride her the last day and Mickey (Sheehy) did a great job on her. "It was a toss-up between Dylan and Mickey but I've been able to get Dylan as often as I've wanted, so it was the right thing to do. "We changed her routine, we don't gallop her anymore and do strong canters. Since we've stopped asking her to work fast at home, she has got a lot stronger, eats better and is a happier bunny now. "Her half-sister Aspen Belle got to around the 70 mark and she might pass her out now." Quotes from Thomas Weekes
