Poignant success for Gibney's Sammy Smart There was a humdinger of a finish to the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Steeplechase at Punchestown as Sammy Smart (3/1 favourite) and the well-supported Three In A Row (11/1 into 7s before the off) flashed past the post together having been inseparable all the way up the run-in. Sammy Smart, partnered by James Smith, moved into third at the second-last with Three In A Row just behind him. The pair came through to dispute the lead at the last and, after a stirring duel, it was Sammy Smart who nodded at the right time and got the verdict by a short-head. Rising ten years of age, the Kalanisi-sired winner scored over hurdles at this venue just over a year ago and was second on handicap chase debut at Thurles in November. Winning trainer Tom Gibney said “That’s huge as we buried Paddy Melarkey, who owned him along with Kevin (Haigney), only a few days ago. It was always going to be emotional whether he won it or not. You can’t beat a bit of divine intervention. “He loves Punchestown and ran really well back in Thurles last month. He tends to need a good gap between his races. “I thought this might be on the short side, but it worked out well and James was very strong on him.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
