Spark lands gamble in last Night Spark landed a touch in the finale at Dundalk tonight when scoring under Pat Smullen. Backed from 16/1 this morning the John O'Shea-trained gelding was sent off a 5/1 shot. He travelled well to lead a furlong-and-a-half out and kept on well in the closing stages when pressed by Miracle Steps to record a neck victory. It was a welcome winner for Smullen, who cut Johnny Murtagh's lead in the jockeys title to six. "I'm glad to get a winner as I've been hitting the board a bit," said Smullen afterwards. "I was unlucky in the first when the filly reared leaving the stalls. It's been a frustrating period. "The horse did it well and John had him well prepared. They obviously knew what they were doing. It's just a relief to get a winner."
