Smiler is clear in the early stages under Mikey O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
Smiler made all to record an easy win in the bumper at Downpatrick, the October INH Flat Race, scoring for trainer, jockey, owner Mikey O’Connor.
The six-year-old son of Vinnie Roe ran well to finish third on his debut at Killarney in July of last year, but he disappointed in two subsequent bumpers at Limerick and Listowel.
He then ran well to finish third on his hurdling debut at Cork in August, before disappointing on his next start over timber.
Back in a bumper today, the bay gelding was sent off at 9/2, having drifted from his opening show on-course of 4/1.
Clear throughout, his lead was reduced around three furlongs from home, but as his rivals all came under pressure, he still travelled smoothly, and he went on again up the hill to the finish, scoring by sixteen lengths. Swantykay finished back in second under Jane Mangan for Gordon Elliott at 3/1, while Up The Hill was twelve lengths back in third at 7/1 for trainer John Nicholson. Jazz Concerto went off the well-supported 5/4 favourite, but he could only manage a disappointing fourth under Nina Carberry for Noel Meade.
Mikey O'Connor said afterwards: "He is a very good horse if he can be kept right. He pulled a muscle at Limerick on his second run, and then I thought he was right for Listowel but he finished lame. John Warwick got him right.
"He'll go hurdling now. I would have been bullish today on good ground, but he got through that ground well."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
