Vairue gets Smithers off the mark Vairue provided Conor Smithers with his first track success, as he claimed the Leugh Handicap Hurdle for trainer Helen Markham and owner Valentine Cross. A faller at the last when beaten in fourth at Gowran on his most recent start, the son of Pushkin was sent off a 12/1 chance this afternoon. Settled behind the leaders, the six-year-old was pushed along on the inner from two out and got to the front shortly after the last, keeping on well from there to score by two-and-three-parts of a length. The easy-to-back Muntahez (11/1 from 7/2 in early shows), attempted to make all but ultimately had to settle for second under Simon Torrens for Aidan Howard, while Ucandoit (14/1) was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. The Shane Crawley trained Brehon Star was the gamble of the race. Available at 6/1 in early shows, he eventually went off the clear favourite at 15/8. Still in with every chance on the approach to the final flight, he found little on the run-in after an awkward jump at the last and eventually finished fourth. "He was unlucky the last day in Gowran and this was his last run before going out. We were hoping to get his confidence back and everything worked out great," Markham, who had her last winner in August of 2018, said. "I'm delighted for Val (winning owner) - he rang last night wondering about all the rain that fell but I knew here we would get the best of the ground. He has been in long enough and will get a break now. "It has been a while since my last winner but when you have a good horse like that, there is always a dream. We do a lot of pre-training and breaking and it is great to get a winner." Smithers added: "I turned professional after the Punchestown Festival and that's my first winner as a conditional. "I rode three winners as an amateur in point-to-point's, I'm based in Monasterevin and ride out for Jessica Harrington, Denis Cullen and at lunchtime I do work for Helen (Markham). Garry Cribbin is my agent. "The horse was good and gutsy, I got a lovely run up the inner and he kept finding for me. He keeps improving with every run." STEWARDS REPORT * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Woodstream Lad trained by R. K. Watson was wrong behind post race. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
