Northern Surprise and Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Tim Doyle gained a measure of compensation following an injury to his stable star chaser Mallowney when his Northern Surprise landed the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Rated Race at Dundalk this evening.
Ridden by Champion Jockey Pat Smullen, the son of Azamour was gaining a fourth career win when beating off the challenge of Hat Alnasar by a length and three parts.
Afterwards Doyle stated "that's his (Northern Surprise) first run here but I just got a feeling he'd handle it as it's been riding a bit easier this year. He'll go for something similar in a few weeks time if all is well.
"The only time I can remember Pat riding for me before was on a horse called Destiny's Child, and she won here as well."
Doyle also had news of his Grade A and Grade 2 winning chaser Mallowney, and said "he came back lame after running in Clonmel the last day. He rapped a joint, and I won't know for another week or two how serious it is."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
