Treble for Smullen as Viral lands the odds

Pat Smullen completed a quick fire treble (which came in at 66 and a half to 1) at Gowran this evening as he took the Flaming Hot BBQ Evening Handicap on the short-priced favourite Gone Viral

The Sheila Lavery trained gelding ran a fine race to finish second behind all the way winner No Dominion at the Curragh on Sunday and turned out again quickly he was well-fancied to go one place better.

Available at 3/1 in a place last night he opened on-course at just 7/4 before going off the clear 6/4 favourite.

The chestnut son of Virtual raced in mid-division and he made smooth progress to track the leaders in the early straight.

He eased to the front over a furlong out and was soon ridden, keeping on well from there to score by a comfortable three parts of a length. Nancy Rose ran a nice race to take second under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy at 5/1 (from 6’s) while Prince Jock was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third under Luke Dempsey for Pat Shanahan at 16/1.

Sheila Lavery said afterwards: "He just needs a cut. Pat said he's a seriously improving horse and there should be a really nice handicap in him.

"He's a gorgeous horse and needs it soft. He could go to the horses-in-training sale and would make a gorgeous jumper.

"He was a bit unlucky at the Curragh as Chris Hayes rode a brilliant race on the winner and nicked the race."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Nancy Rose, ridden by G.F. Carroll, placed second and Muileata ridden by K.J. Manning, unplaced. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that G.F.Carroll was in breach of Rule 214, having ridden carelessly and having considered his record, suspended him for two race days.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson