Pat Smullen in top form with treble

Eight-time champion Pat Smullen, who will be in action at the All-Weather Championships in Lingfield tomorrow, completed a 53/1 treble on Sir Raston, Carried and Our Manekineko in Dundalk last night

Smullen kicked-off on board 62-rated Sir Raston, for his boss Dermot Weld, in the two-mile Easter Eggstravaganza At Dundalk Stadium, the Sir Percy gelding getting the better of 2014 JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll by a half-length with gambled-on favourite Roconga a close and very unlucky third, finishing strongly, having been badly hampered.

“We took a chance running him over two miles, but the steady pace was ideal for him,” admitted Smullen. “I knew if they went slow, his turn of foot would give him a great chance. I kept filling him with confidence and he picked up nicely.”