Knockcroghery and Pat Smullen winning at Bellewstown© Photo Healy Racing
A canny front-running ride from Pat Smullen on Knockcroghery (10/3) paid dividends as the pair held on from fast-finishing Cinderella Story (9/1) at Bellewstown in the mile and six furlongs handicap.
Knockcroghery, who had been 9/2 in the morning, led three furlongs out and kicked for home a furlong and a half out, but visibly tired in the last 50 yards and took the spoils by a neck.
Tipperary-based John Nicholson was delighted but joked: "I was thinking Luke Nolen in the last 50 yards!"
"She's been an honest mare all along. She had a big sinus operation earlier in the year. I must thank the staff at Sycamore Lodge in Clare.
"She has been running very consistently since though she ran badly at Gowran. She'll be heading west to Galway now.
"I've only one place left to conquer and that's Laytown though I've never had a runner there before. I might have one for there this year." Shanrod came in third at 5/1 in a race decimated by nine non-runners (including two reserves). Faranadooney was sent off 3/1 favourite and finished fourth.
Michael Graham
