Portnacoo with jockey Paddy Hanlon, trainer Harry Smyth (right) and groom Martin O'Kane© Photo Healy Racing
Paddy Hanlon completed a second career double today as the 7lb claimer landed Downpatrick's My Pension Expert Handicap Hurdle on bargain-buy Portnacoo which scored on his second start for owner/trainer Harry Smyth.
Racing prominently, Portnacoo led at the second-last and powered clear of his rivals on the run-in, to beat My Policy by 17 lengths.
It was Smyth's first success since October 2022 and afterwards the Ballyclare-based trainer revealed “he was a three grand horse, that's all I normally pay and I just heard he was for sale.
“He was so good (finishing fourth) at Sligo but that was only six days ago and I didn't know what to think. I thought it might have been too soon. My horses tend to like here and I like here! He'll run all summer."
Jockey Hanlon 's earlier winner was gained on his father John 'Shark' Hanlon's Mr Sundancer
Quotes from Michael Graham
