Smart strikes again at Down Royal

Very Smart made the most of her opportunity when lunging late to land the Value Cabs Handicap at Down Royal.

Pat Martin 's charge got in as first reserve in the extended six furlong contest and grabbed her chance with both hands.

Gavin Ryan was seen to good effect on the Dandy Man filly as he gave her a strong drive inside the final furlong to chase down Canford Art

The 10/1 shot (backed from 25/1 this morning) got up in the last strides to record a neck success. It was very similar to her last gasp win here last July, her only other career success.

Martin said: "She's a much stronger filly now. She was always a bit picky with her grub and we never had her the way we wanted to have her.

"All the horses are in good nick at the minute and she is thriving. We were really hopeful today - we were just praying we got a phone call this morning and we got one at ten to 10 about getting in. There was a game of golf this afternoon but I was delighted that I couldn't go!

"This is a very good rider (Gavin Ryan) if he can handle the weight end of it. He has a lovely attitude to the whole thing and doesn't get flustered and he's strong. He has a bright future.

"Of course it did (claim helped). I rang him this morning because 9st is sort of borderline for him and he said 'you better put down plus 2 in case I'm heavy but I'll do my best to do the weight'. It was very important that he did. That shows the dedication he has.

"He has ridden maybe half a dozen horses for me and they have all run well and there could have been three or four winners out of the half a dozen.

"I'm very lucky I have Killian (Leonard), he is riding at the top of his game and he just took a day off as he had a few things to do. He would have ridden her only for that. Not a bad sub!

"Bellewstown is a real possibility. I don't like pulling her out quick. We did that last week with another filly and it just doesn't work for me. She'll be out again in two or three weeks time.

"I was glad to see the ease in the ground today. She has been running in Dundalk all season and they kind of feel it eventually. She likes the surface there but a bit of grass is nice.

"She ran well the last day in Gowran Park without having much luck. It is great to see her winning today."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)