Review LEOPARDSTOWN 27TH OCT

Pat Smullen took advantage of his rivals' absence to notch up a fantastic 1652/1 four-timer and roar back to the head of the exciting jockey's championship race at Leopardstown on Saturday.

With Michael Kinane and John Murtagh both in action at the Breeders' Cup meeting in New York, the reigning champion grasped his opportunity with both hands.

Popular veteran Free To Speak showed that he is no back number when producing his customary finishing kick to take the Stepaside Race and spark off Smullen's memorable day.

'He would have been retired if he hadn't made the first three today, but he'll be back next season now,' revealed a delighted Dermot Weld after the nine year-old's 2 1/2 length defeat of favourite Shoal Creek.

Smullen was seen at his best when driving Creux Noir (7/1-6/1f) to the front inside the last in the Joe McGrath EBF Handicap to give himself and his guv'nor their second of the afternoon.

The five year-old was thus reversing form with Masnada, who had beaten him into second in the corresponding race last year, but was a neck adrift this time.

Later, the much-improved Tortue stayed on strongly to take Division 2 of the Liffey Handicap before Triple Try romped home in the finale to give trainer Weld a treble and round off a wonderful day for the Meath rider.

The tremendously progressive Marionnaud extended her winning sequence to four when making a successful jump to Listed class in the Silken Glider Stakes.

Confidently handled by Kevin Manning, the Spectrum filly led entering the final furlong and held the persistent Luminous Beauty by what looked a comfortable short-head.

Remarkably, her run of victories has been achieved in the space of just nineteen days, with the previous one coming in last Sunday's Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas.

Trainer Jim Bolger was not present, but his assistant Adrian Taylor was understandably all smiles afterwards : 'She's very tough, and is one to look forward to next year,' he remarked.

Manning later doubled up aboard Slightly Swift, who returned to form when swooping late to take the Liffey Handicap (Div. 1) for the Jim Gorman stable.

Aidan O'Brien received a timely boost ahead of tonight's Breeder's Cup meeting when the well-supported Ballingarry routed the opposition in the opening 1m 2yo maiden.

This was the race in which Galileo made such a scintillating debut twelve months ago, and while he may not emulate the achievements of his illustrious stable-mate, the successful 2/1f nevertheless appears to have a bright future.

Considered unlucky at Tipperary last time, he was always prominent, and stretched right away in the straight for a six-length margin over promising newcomer Ancestor.