Smullen strikes on Sparring Sparring Partner benefitted from a strong Pat Smullen drive to break his duck in the 1m2f handicap at Dundalk. The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding was produced with a strong run inside the final furlong to hit the front. He stuck on gamely in the closing stages to hold stable-mate Word For Word by three-parts of a length, giving trainer Eddie Lynam a one-two. "He deserved to win a race as he has been hitting the crossbar," said Lynam afterwards.
