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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Smiler just prevails for Mikey O'Connor

Sun 15th Jun 2014, 14:41

Smiler clears the last under his trainer and owner Mikey O'ConnorSmiler clears the last under his trainer and owner Mikey O'Connor
© Photo Healy Racing

Smiler (first time hood) just held on in the opener at Downpatrick, the Celebrating Father's Day Maiden Hurdle, justifying favouritism under his trainer and owner Mikey O'Connor.

The seven-year-old son of Vinnie Roe won a bumper in empathic style over the course and distance on his last start in October, and he was sent off the 5/4 favourite to follow up this afternoon.

On what was his third start over flights the bay gelding made all and while he was strongly challenge on the run-in by Oscar Vespasian he battled gamely to prevail by a neck.

The aforementioned runner-up was returned a 3/1 chance (backed from 4/1 on-course) under Jonathan Burke for John Queally, while Annakrista was best of the rest sixteen lengths back in third under Mick Darcy for Mervyn Torrens at 14/1.

Mikey O'Connor said afterwards: ""We made it as he had no gallop recently and he's too honest and very hard on himself.

"He likes this place, it's a pity it is so far away!

"He'd be a summer horse and he'll go to Dundalk for the winter. He might go for a winners race in Galway, that track might suit him.

"He would be for sale but he's keeping us smiling. He's named after our neighbour down the road.

"The ground is lovely. It is safe ground with no firm in it."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.