Pat Smullen and Moonbi Creek are well clear of cyclist Nicolas Roche in the Beast Vs Bike Race © Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen completed a double of sorts on the evening at Leopardstown when getting the better of professional cyclist Nicolas Roche in the Beast v Bike challenge.
The two furlongs sprint up the straight at the Foxrock venue pitted Roche, cycling on the ambulance lane alongside the track, against Smullen riding the Dermot Weld-trained Moonbi Creek (finished eighth earlier in the six-furlong handicap).
Roche was allowed to build up to top speed before the two furlong pole with Smullen taking him on from a standing start but it soon proved something of a no contest.
Smullen got away briskly and was soon oozing confidence on the seven-year-old gelding, eventually winning by a wide margin hard held.
"My competitive edge came out and I got away maybe a bit too soon. I met Peter Matthews on the way in and he could have me up before the stewards!" said Smullen.
"It's for a great cause in the Childrens Hospital at Crumlin, and all the plaudits should really go to Nicolas who was set an impossible task really."
Smullen earlier partnered the Weld-trained Massinga to win the nine-furlong handicap.
