Pat Smullen works a miracle on Xsquared

Oft has champion jockey Pat Smullen received the plaudits for his brilliance in the saddle, but his feat in getting Xsquared around Killarney and home in front in a two-mile-one handicap with a slipped saddle for more than a circuit must rank high amongst the Offaly rider’s most-extraordinary achievements.

In an otherwise unremarkable race, Smullen, riding the well-backed 7-4 favourite, performed heroics not only to remain with his mount around this sharp track but to get a tune out of him in the closing stages to hold Black Label’s finishing effort.

Fittingly, the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the rider as he walked back into the parade ring, saddle in hand.