66/1 Smitty rolls back the years

Smitty Bacall sprang a 66/1 surprise, as he cruelly denied the front-running Arrycan in the Roscommon Herald Handicap Hurdle.

Pulled up on three of his last four starts and without a win in just over three-years, the John Flavin-trained 13-year-old was settled behind the leaders on the outer by Darragh O'Keeffe.

Improving into second after four out, the Marienbard bay was pushed along in pursuit of the strong travelling Arrycan approaching the next.

He gradual reduced the deficit and got the leader off the bridle on the run-in, hitting the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to win by half-a-length.

The runner-up was returned at 10/1 under Richie Deegan for Liam Cusack, while Evans Secret (7/2f) was just three-quarters-of-a-length back in third.

The front three went 16-lengths clear of Everystep Oftheway (15/2) in fourth.

"I actually fancied him the last day when he ran in Tramore but he just didn't go at all," Flavin reflected.

"I said to Darragh that he had pulled up the last day but not to worry about that. He won off 125 before and he was working well at home.

"I know he's 13 but the way he was working it wasn't a mad surprise. He was showing a bit of sparkle, I wouldn't have kept him going if he wasn't and he hasn't a huge amount of miles on the clock.

"I'm delighted that he won, it worked out the finest.

"Turning in he had plenty of ground to make up but in a way it was actually perfect as he had something to aim at the whole way up the straight.

"Darragh said he winged the last three hurdles, stayed going and just got there in time thank-God."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson