Daytona impresses in first running of Pat Smullen Stakes Aidan O'Brien's Daytona made it two from two, as he impressively claimed the inaugural running of the Listed Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes. Bought for 500,000 pounds as a yearling and a winner on debut at Gowran last month, the Wootton Bassett bay was well-fancied to follow-up this afternoon and while available at 2/1 in early shows, he was eventually returned the 4/5 favourite. Settled in mid-division by Wayne Lordan, who was completing a double, and fifth halfway, he travelled strongly and improved to challenge on the outer from early in the straight. Briefly shying away from the whip when ridden with a furlong-and-a-half to go, he soon edged to the front and asserted in the closing stages, coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good. Installed the market leader when this race was first priced up, North Coast (2/1) had to settle for second, while the Ger Lyons-trained Genchev (28/1) was another three-lengths back in third. "Jack (Cleary) gave him a lovely introduction in Gowran where for a first timer he was impressive," stable representative Chris Armstrong explained. "He's come along lovely at home since then but he's still fairly raw. "They went along at a nice pace and he travelled into it really strong but when he got there he was still very babyish. "He has the makings of a lovely horse and next year you could see him over a mile-and-a-quarter. "He could be one for something like the Futurity or Golden Fleece. He's a horse to look forward to. He'll develop physically, he's a fine big imposing horse and he's by that sire Wootton Bassett." The race is part of the new 'Smullen Series' which consists of 18 middle-distance races for two and three-year-olds. Armstrong added: "It's a lovely new series that they've introduced and all these new series initiatives help the programme. "It's named after a legend and Aidan picked this race out straight after Gowran for him. He's delighted to win the first running of it and hopefully we can win a few more of them." The winner was completing a cross-card treble for O'Brien, who took the second with Neolithic, while later claiming the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown with Delacroix. STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident turning into the home straight involving Flanker Jet (GB), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed sixth, and Genchev (GB), ridden by J. Kearney, placed third, where it appeared Genchev received a slight bump. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
