McCourt's colt Smokes Out nursery opponents with easy win The Tom McCourt trained Smoke Them Out proved far too strong for his opponents when easily landing the Irish EBF Auction Series Nursery Handicap at Cork. Sent off 7/1, the Sands Of Mali colt was always prominent under Robert Whearty before edging to the front over a furlong out. Soon kicking clear, the eventual winner had one-and-three-quarter lengths in hand of Kodilicious at the line. Dropping back to sprinting clear suited Smoke Them Out who had shown promise in his maidens prior to not lasting home when upped to 7f at Down Royal last time. Winning trainer Tom McCourt said: "He was bought for €4,000 in Goffs (September 2023) and, from day one, was always lovely, although was a bit of a shell so was always going to fill up. "He showed up plenty and while he initially had a lovely mark, I ran him in a maiden in Bellewstown and he almost ran too well. I was giving out to the handicapper but, as usual, he was proved right again. "If the ground stays reasonable he'll run in the Birdcatcher and while he gallops like a horse who would appreciate a 'dig', I'm not sure if he is strong enough to handle it yet." "Stephen Sweeney, from Ardee, bought into him recently and is also involved in Rampage." He added "I bought five in Fairyhouse last week and the dearest was €6,000 so hopefully we can sneak a nice one out of them. I don't have owners for them but hope to later in the year and those are all qualified for the auction series races." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
