Memories of Grade 1 winners Watson Lake (ill-fated) and Aran Concerto (retired) came flooding back as Perfect Smile won with a lot in hand under Paul Carberry in the well-known John Corr silks in the opening Dobbins Catering At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.
Heavily-supported into 1/3, the Anshan gelding who like stable-companion Pandorama, began 'between the flags' for John Halley, travelled throughout this two miler like an odds-on shot should. Once let get on with it in the straight by Carberry, Perfect Smile only had to safely negotiate the last before going on to see off Crom Abu
Winning trainer Noel Meade has never hidden his regard for John Corr's five-year-old who suffered with niggling problems that were annoying him after he won his bumper at Navan last year. He looked back to his best here though and is likely for a rise in class in novice hurdle company now.
