Political Policy is ridden out by Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the fifth on I Am Power Pat Smullen doubled-up on Political Policy in the concluding Come Racing 2nd September Handicap.
An eight time winner on the all-weather at Dundalk, the Gavin Cromwell trained six-year-old was recording his first success on turf this evening.
Without a win since January of 2016, the son of Bushranger was sent off at 9/1, and he was settled behind the leaders.
He was pushed along to challenge with two furlongs left to race, and got to the front inside the final furlong, keeping on well to score by half a length. Kalann (7/1) ran a fine race to finish second under Leigh Roche for Denis Hogan, while Shoulda Lied (6/1) was another length and a half back in third for Chris Hayes and Willie Mullins. Universal Focus (12/1) completed the placings a neck away in fourth, while the 9/2 favourite High Kicker could only manage seventh.
Cromwell said afterwards: "It's the first time he's got his ground on grass, since I got him anyway.”
"I suppose on ratings and having his ground on the day he should really have won but it's easier said than done.
"We'll try and go for something similar again. He's so well in on the turf we'd have to go again as long as he gets his ground.
"He's won eight times at Dundalk but never won on the turf. He was fifth in a big race at Lingfield last year and ran a cracker and then he's here in a 45 to 65."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
