Smugglers Creek made all and held on gamely in the closing stages to take the claiming maiden at Dundalk, giving Pat Smullen one back in the title race.

The Michael Halford-trained gelding had been second in a similar race here a fortnight ago and was sent of a well backed 8/11 favourite (6/4 in morning) to go one better.

Smullen bounced out in front on the son Medicean and he stuck on well as Delegating tried hard to peg him back inside the final furlong, recording a neck success.

The win moved Smullen to within three of Colin Keane in the jockeys title race.

“He was drawn well and Pat kept it simple. It’s nice to get a bracket for him,” said Halford.

“He’s a very straight forward horse, a good-looking horse and we’ll see what the handicapper does to him. If he’s claimed he’s claimed and if he’s not we’ll keep going with him.

"The owners (Ballygallon Stud) have a number of nice fillies and they also have six two-years-olds with us."

The winner was subsequently claimed by Allan McLuckie for €20,000 to be trained Iain Jardine.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)