Dartan follows up Curragh win with hurdles success

Dartan followed up his win on the flat at the Curragh on Derby weekend when reverting to flights to land the Bar One Racing Bet 10 Euro Get 50 Euro Sign Up Offer Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown.

Making all in the hands of James Smith, the six-year-old grey was recording his fifth victory since arriving in this country in 2021. Formerly trained in Germany, the gelding has been a highly consistent horse under both codes for Matthew Smith.

As with many of the earlier winners on this card, front running was again the winning formula. The victorious jockey, who was recording a second win since recently turning professional, judged the pace to perfection, stacking his rivals up on the run to two out, then kicking on again in what was to prove a race winning move.

Rachael Blackmore tracked the eventual winner on favourite Easy Fella delivering her mount to challenge on the approach to the last hurdle. However, the winner had the superior flat race speed to quicken again and take the plaudits for the Smith family.

Matthew Smith said: "He gave him a good ride, he went steady and he knew what he was at. He's a good young lad.

"He had his homework done there and he knew what he was going to do, He sent him on and he went on for him.

"Possibly (consider Ballybrit), I've no set plans with him yet.

"He had a good run last year when he won three on the trot. He had a bit of a setback so we let him off and he came back and needed the run in Punchestown. I was disappointed with him on the Flat in Fairyhouse, but it wasn't run to suit him.

"Obviously, he is back on track with his last two runs. I think he is a decent horse. He's a very laid-back horse even at home and it is hard to get a good read on him."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham