Treble puts Smullen three clear

REIGNING champion Pat Smullen is three clear of Johnny Murtagh in the race for the Jockeys Championship following a treble at Navan yesterday.

The Offaly man triumphed on Sense Of Purpose, Ransomed Bride and Galileo’s Choice, all for his boss Dermot Weld, before Murtagh won the finale on Aidan O’Brien’s Crimson Sky, leaving Smullen 78-75 ahead in the title-race.

Short-headed in a listed race at the Curragh last time, Sense Of Purpose, backed from 2/1 to 6/5, opened her account in the Kilcarn 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden, getting up close home to beat Tashzara.