Course-specialist Smaoineamh Sile pops up at 14/1 An enterprising ride from Jamie Powell on Smaoineamh Sile took the honours in division one of the 0-60 handicap over nine furlongs in Leopardstown. She tracked Starting Monday and took over after a couple of furlongs. While the field kept well out from the rail, Powell hugged it on the approach for the home bend and his mount held a clear advantage at the two pole. He drove her on over a furlong out and the pair were able to hold on by a length and a-quarter at 14/1 from the closing Roderick (4/1f). Thegooseiscooked (22/1 - 10/1) kept on for third, beaten two lengths by the winner. Smaoineamh Sile certainly enjoys racing in Leopardstown as this was her fourth career success at this venue. The only other track she has won at was Bellewstown. John McConnell said: “I’m delighted for Peter (Commane, owner) who is a long-standing supporter. We had a half-an-hour chat on the phone whether we were going to run on the ground. She hadn’t run on it much, so we said we’d take a chance. “Between myself and Jamie, we said we’d stick to the rail as she leans left anyway. I think she loved it running on her own — she’s very genuine. “She’s entered here again next week, and we’ll have to have a go. She loves it around here.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
