McCreery lands race he knows well

For the third year in-a-row trainer Willie McCreery took the honours in the www.leopardstown.com nursery over seven furlongs.

Pat Smullen brought the grey filly Coolnagree with a sustained run from over a furlong out to seal the victory by one length at odds of 8/1 (10s in the morning). Jimtown was second at 8/1 with Angel Bright a head away in third at 11/1.

This win for Smullen cut Johnny Murtagh’s lead at the top of the flat jockeys

championship to four with two racing days left.

“I’m delighted with her. She’s a nice filly. I might come back next week as theres a 20,000 euro nursery for her,” Willie McCreery said.

“Pat gave her a super ride and that keeps the championship alive.

“I’ve had five or six seconds recently so I’m delighted to get a winner. I’ve only had her a couple of weeks and I think the ground is key to her.

“I was disappointed she didn’t get into the Birdcatcher. She was ten pounds out of the handicap but I think she would have run a big race.” Mr Red Clubs was 7/2 favourite for Paul Flynn and title-chasing Johnny Murtagh. He came home fifth after finding no extra in the final furlong.

Michael Graham