Pat Smullen moved onto the 22 winner mark for the season when completing a 21/1 double with Awesome Strike and Palette at Clonmel yesterday.
The Dermot Weld-trained Awesome Strike gained a workmanlike victory in the Roscrea EBF Fillies Maiden. The former champion apprentice sent the Theatrical filly through a gap on the inner entering the straight, and she kept on under pressure to beat Sharavogue Cookie by a length and a half.
Smullen is now six clear of reigning champion Mick Kinane at the head of the riders table after Palette rallied in the closing stages to touch off stablemate Mykon Gold in the Sporting Press Tipperary Cup Handicap. 'The Galway Plate is a likely target for Palette, while I would also like to win a chase with Mykon Gold,' said trainer Willie Mullins.
Cloda's Minstrel made all under Ken Whelan to defy topweight and a nine month layoff in the Carl Scarpa Handicap Hurdle. John Queally's mare, who was left clear after the challenging Act Of Defiance fell two out, will be campaigned over the summer with the Galway Festival the main target.
