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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Smullen two clear after Mancilia win

Fri 28th Sep 2012, 19:47

Al Mancilia and Pat Smullen (nearest) just beat Elusive Express Al Mancilia and Pat Smullen (nearest) just beat Elusive Express
© Photo Healy Racing

Pat Smullen moved two clear of Joseph O'Brien in the jockeys title race when giving Al Mancilia a strong drive to land the first division of the 47-65 handicap at Dundalk. Refuse Colette had taken them along in the mile contest but was claimed by Elusive Express two furlongs from home.

Al Mancilia (8/1 into 7/1) looked under pressure in fourth then but stayed on gamey to challenge at the furlong pole and got on top in the closing stages for a half-length success.

The Pat Flynn-trained winner was bouncing back to form having struggled in testing conditions at Tipperary last month. She had won at Wexford on fast ground previously.

"Pat was hoping she'd handle the surface," revealed Smullen afterwards.

"The last day at Tipperary it was quite soft and it didn't suit her. I got a lovely run around from a good draw and she battled well in the finish."

The win moved Smullen on to 74 for the season with O'Brien on 72.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.