Smullen has to Settle for another 2nd

Ger Lyons recently said the title fight wouldn't be over until it was mathematically decided either way. How right he was as the margins are so fine and Colin Keane's title rival Pat Smullen continued a frustrating evening at Dundalk with a third second placing in four rides.

In race five, the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at 7.10, Smullen's mount Cloudy Miss was 'nosed' out of it by Settle For Bay (10s into 15/2).

In the previous heat the multiple champ was short-headed on Tonkinese whilst he was beaten a length in the opener on Peace Officer

David Marnane and Donagh O'Connor combined for the victory with Settle For Bay.

"He's a fine big horse and he has a lovely stride. He uses himself very well and has plenty of gears for a big horse," said O'Connor.

"He travelled really well into it. Half a furlong out Pat's horse picked up again and I thought I wasn't going to get there.

"He dug deep in the end because Pat's horse quickened again and my lad had to quicken twice to get to him.

"In fairness to David he told me that he thought I was on the winner and told me not to get there too soon.

"I might have had him jumping in his seat but it's great that it worked out in the end.

"I thought I had Pat covered but I just realised when I went by the line that there was a horse on my inside and I wasn't sure about him."

P.J. Smullen, rider of Cloudy Miss, trained by M.Halford, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount tired in the closing stages and hung right.

(GC & EM)