Champion Jockey Pat Smullen was seen at his best when steering badly drawn Xsquared to win the concluding fairyhouse.ie Handicap at Fairyhouse today, for trainer Peter Fahey.

Drawn 16, Smullen appeared immediately anxious to save ground and within a short distance of the stalls opening, had ‘excused’ his way across and gained a comfortable mid-division position. Smullen later forced the son of Exceed And Excel into contention before keeping his mount going in the closing stages, for a length win over Along The Shore

Afterwards Fahey stated “he was getting a bit clever on the flat. We stepped him up to a mile and a half, and I was worried going out if he would get it but seems more settled.

"He's a lovely horse to have for the summer and there is a fair chance he could run over fences at Wexford on Friday. He’ll mix it between fences and the flat as his mark is too high over hurdles."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee