Pat Smullen sets a strong pace in his bid to regain his Champion Jockey title, lost to Johnny Murtagh last season, when partnering his 72nd winner of the season, on Northern Rocked in the Gilna’s Cottage Inn Maiden, at Laytown today.

Eventual runner-up Prayer Boat was matched at 1.01 in-running when sent clear a furlong out but Smullen and Northern Rocked eventually wore down the leader for a length and a quarter win.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld was absent but Smullen did state “Northern Rocked is a good consistent horse and deserved that win. He gets seven furlongs very well and it’s great to get another win at such a unique venue!”