Sophie has her supporters smiling After disappointing at Ballinrobe on her last start, Woodsophiesmile bounced back to form as she took division one of the Christmas Party Nights at Dundalk Handicap. Trained by Tony Martin and ridden by Wayne Lordan, the three-year-old daughter of Acclamation won a handicap at the Galway Festival in August, but then disappointed when attempting to follow up at Ballinrobe. Sent off the 4/1 favourite to get back to winning ways this evening, she was settled in mid-division, and she got a nice run through in the straight, hitting the front in the final 100 yards, going on to score by a length and a half at the line. Top-weight Red Laser ran a fine race to finish second (was backed from 8/1 to 5/1 on-course) under Shane Foley for Mick Halford, while Kingdomforthebride was a length and a quarter back in third under Declan McDonogh for Jim Gorman at 16/1. Tony Martin said afterwards: "She is quite small. Hopefully she will improve from three to four. "I'm delighted for the owners (Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd) who have put a few quid into the game. "She will probably come back here. She is a tough and genuine filly." After the race the Stewards suspended Shane Foley, rider of Red Laser, for one day for using his whip in the forehand position. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
