Smullen’s determination gets Rua home

Former champion Pat Smullen was seen at his brilliant and determined best when getting odds-on favourite Ceol Rua home a narrow winner of the Ladies Day At Ballinrobe Maiden in Ballinrobe last night.

Hard at work on the Willie Mullins-trained mare with more than five furlongs to race, the seven-year-old gradually wore down her rivals, challenging inside the final furlong to foil Cnoc Na Sioga and Sword Of Honour by a half-length and a neck.

Winning owner-breeder Fiona McStay, from Castlewellan, County Down, was present and was full of praise for Smullen, who commented: “That was hard work. They went a good gallop, which helped. This mare is all stamina and heart. The tight track wasn’t ideal, but she kept finding a bit more for me. Stamina and guts got here there.”