Smullen keen on Manalapan chances Pat Smullen expects Manalapan to put his disappointing run last time behind him when he lines up for the William Hill Doonside Cup at Ayr. Dermot Weld's stable jockey blamed the soft ground for the five-year-old being tailed off last of four behind Chapter Seven when sent off the 5-4 favourite at Bellewstown. "I'd like to think it was hopefully the same scenario as it was with Fascinating Rock at Windsor (before redeeming himself at Leopardstown last week)," Smullen told At The Races. "The ground was quite bad at Bellewstown and maybe be just needed the run, so we're hoping for better." Manalapan faces strong opposition in the Listed contest over a mile and a quarter that includes proven Group-race performer Top Notch Tonto and classy handicapper Chil The Kite.
