Smooth Tom gave his supporters late anxiety in Gowran's McEnery Cup Handicap today and subsequently survived a stewards' enquiry, before being confirmed winner for trainer Andy Slattery and his son jockey Andrew.

Smooth Tom moved past leader Highland Bling a furlong out but, clumsily, also edged right and checked his opponent's momentum. Slattery junior then prematurely eased down in the closing stages but was pushed out in the final strides to hold rallying neck-runner-up Highland Bling.

Victory for the Margaret O'Rourke-owned Smooth Tom was confirmed following an enquiry and afterwards trainer Andy Slattery said “he's not fully fit and he said he blew up a furlong down.

“It's his first run back, he's been away on a break since Punchestown and should improve a good bit. That could leave him right for the Petingo Handicap on Champions Weekend hopefully.

“I also had in the back of my mind the English Cambridgeshire, he's better on a straight track so a straight mile on soft ground there could suit. The ground would have been plenty quick enough for him there. We'll maybe go for some of those decent handicap hurdles too along the line.”

He added “we gave him a break after Punchestown because he had been on the go all year. He won his maiden hurdle in Listowel, then won his novice and we kind of had no choice but to keep going in his novice season.

“We ran him in a Grade 1 when the ground was bottomless in Leopardstown and he actually ran well.

“He's only back in about seven weeks.”

Quotes from Gary Carson