Smullen shines on Sense Of Purpose

A finely-judged ride from the front by Pat Smullen enabled Sense Of Purpose to fend off Marksmanship and Bob le Beau in the Group 3 feature Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.

The 6/1 chance was drawn wide in six but Smullen quickly pushed her into the lead from the off. He drove her on into the straight and the pair repelled the closers by half a length and a short head in the mile and a half contest.

Victorious trainer Dermot Weld was quick to pay tribute to horse and jockey. He said: “We’ve won this race five times in the last 10 years. Vinnie Roe used to specialise in it.

“It was a wonderful ride by Pat but the real star of the show is the filly. She is small, barely 15.3 hands but is all heart and courage.

“It is a joy to train a filly like her.She doesn’t know how to quit.

“We had been thinking about the Ebor but I doubt she will go there. I’m looking at the Park Hill at Doncaster. One mile six furlongs is really her trip.

“We could have a think about the Irish St Leger but she is more likely to go to the Park Hill.

“The plan is to keep her in training next year. She enjoys her racing.”

Weld also hinted that the Melbourne Cup could be an option for his talented filly.

Marksmanship was returned second at 7/4 favourite while Bob Le Beau took third at 11/4.

Sense Of Purpose was a drifter from a morning price of 3/1 as punters latched on to Jamie Spencer flying in to ride Mount Athos for David Wachman (morning price 7/2, SP 9/4) but the duo could only manage fourth of the five runners as the sprint for the line developed.

Michael Graham