Status quo stays the same in race for jockeys' title
Both men are looking forward to their 'Arc' rides on Sunday (on High Chaparral and Vinnie Roe respectively) and proved themselves in top form ahead of the Paris showpiece.
Smullen, fresh from a four-timer at Cork on Saturday, made use of Multazem's proven stamina when making virtually all the running to justify 30/100 favouritism in the Mary Gray Navan Lady Golf Captain Race.
"Multazem was dropping in trip," explained Smullen, "So there was no point waiting around on him. This win should boost his confidence after a couple of hard races at listed level."
Smullen completed his 12/1 double for his boss Dermot Weld on board Sissy Slew, appreciating a drop in class, in the 25,000 Off The Rails Live Ladies Day At Navan Handicap, coming from the back of the field to lead close home and beat Emmas Princess a neck. "She's a tough and honest filly and deserved this win," declared Smullen of Sissy Slew which gave owner Joe Higgins an unbeaten record with his last five runners Mr.Smooth, Arctic Ice, Dimitrova (in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Handicap at Belmont), Anna Frid and, now, Sissy Slew.
Smullen's double brought his tally for the domestic season to 75. But his attempt to close the gap on reigning champion Kinane was short-lived as the championship leader went on to complete a 21.5/1 double on Avec Plaisir and Athlumney Lad in the divisions of the Joe McGrath Navan Golf President Handicap.
Kinane has partnered Avec Plaisir, which Francis Flood trains for the Kildare Racing Club, to her three successes this season.
And the progressive four-year-old daughter of Acatenango won in stytle, by two and a half lengths from Insignificance, prompting trainer Flood to suggest that she's not a suitable ride for an apprentice.
Aven Plaisir is entered for the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale, but plans for the mare remain fluid. And she's likely to run again in the coming weeks.
Locally-owned and trained Athlumney Lad completed Kinane's double in good style in the second division of this handicap, to the satisfaction of trainer Noel Meade.
"I thought he just might win today," admitted Meade in the winner's enclosure, "I've been afraid to run him over a mile and a half, although Johnny Murtagh told me he'd stay. And Michael (Kinane) has told me the same today."
