Simmonson rides first Irish winner David Simmonson's name mightn't have been familiar to all Dundalk punters, but that won't be the case now, after the 23-year-old from Kildare town delivered top-weight Have A Nice Day to land a gamble in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap. Backed in from around 6/1 this morning, into 11/4 favouritism, Have A Nice Day was short of room under two furlongs out having chased the leaders. The consistent Oratorio gelding made ground under pressure a furlong out, before leading inside the last. In the end the Sabrina Harty-trained Have A Nice Day defeated Shabra Emperor (finished off well from the back) by three parts of a length. Third home Reckless Lad didn't have a trouble free passage and he was never nearer than at the end, a short head back. Only two and a quarter lengths covered the first seven home. Seven pound claimer Simmonson, into double figures on the winner count cross-channel, explained: "I was three years with Mick Easterby, and half a year with Tony Coyle, but I got a bit heavy and didn't ride for a year-and-a-half. "I was nine five coming home, but I'm down to eight seven now, and my weight is perfect." For her part Harty said: "He was so fresh in the stable yard today and is a very intelligent horse. "He was robbed the last day with the draw, and is ultra consistent. He ups his game when you want him to and is so easy to train. "He'll get a little holiday now. He deserves it. "It's great for David. He's working with us now. That's only his second ride back so it's a great start." C.R. King, rider of Plough Boy trained by Garvan Donnelly, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount cocked his jaw and tried to run off the bend leaving the back straight. (GC & EM)
