Champion Jockey Pat Smullen took a huge step towards retaining his title with a 1,055/1 four-timer at Roscommon today, completed on Lord Erskine in the concluding Sean Cleary Memorial Handicap, which moved him to within three wins of Championship leader Colin Keane.

Smullen’s season has been slow to gather pace due to the summer virus to hit his employer Dermot Weld’s horses, but much like Weld flagged his resurgence with a Group 3 win at Cork on August 8, today could prove the turning point in this season’s Jockeys’ Championship.

Smullen’s earlier wins were for trainers Weld, Tracey Collins and for Lord Erskine’s trainer Harry Rogers, for whom Smullen was riding a third winner this week.

Following Lord Erskine’s easy win, Rogers stated “he just ran too free at Tramore, and the plan was always to come here. Smullen was available which was a help, and he’s done it well.

“He’s in Navan on Saturday, and if there is a bit of rain he will probably take his chance there.

“Jerry (Nolan) is a good owner to have, and a few more like him I’d be right!”

Quotes from Alan Magee