Smullen inches closer in thrilling title race

Pat Smullen reduced the deficit to four in the Flat Jockeys Championship after winning the fillies' maiden in Dundalk on board Dermot Weld's Muniza

Colin Keane had increased his lead to five when pipping Smullen on race one on the card when The Kid Bobby B edged out Platinum Warrior by a head.

Again, the two protagonists were to the fore in race five as Keane went for home on Lady Nathaniel (9/1) a furlong and a half out.

Smullen sent Muniza (9/2) after her though and she overwhelmed her rival inside the final furlong before going on by a length and a half. Hope Lake occupied third at 12/1.

"She did it well. We were hopeful of her being able to do that someday,” Pat Smullen said.

“I think the surface and trip were right for her today and she probably didn't stay the last day in Galway.

“We've always thought she was a smart maiden and she did it well there. She jumped and travelled beautifully through the race and it's no surprise she's gone and won like that. I think the surface is a big help to her.

“It was good to get a bracket with her and hopefully she can build on that and win a handicap before the end of the year, maybe back here again because she really appreciated the surface.”

This was Smullen's 74th winner of the season with Keane on 78.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson