Pat Smullen surrendered his jockeys title to Declan McDonogh on the final day of the Flat season at Leopardstown yesterday but the former triple champion still finished his 2006 campaign with a pair of winners that included a battling success by Lounaos in the November Handicap.
Eoin Griffin's ex-French- trained filly followed up a Curragh success by carrying a 9lb penalty to a three length defeat of the favourite Al Eile in the two mile slog.
"I was worried the handicapper had caught her with the 9lb," admitted Lounaos's trainer Eoin Griffin who is considering a juvenile hurdling campaign for the one mare he has in his yard.
"She's a bit spoiled because she is the only mare and we will have to see how she is before deciding about hurdles," he said. "I think she could make a decent hurdler and I would love to bring her back here at Christmas (Durkan New Homes Hurdle.)"
Smullen had earlier secured a narrow victory in the seven furlong maiden with the newcomer Offbeat Fashion who overcame inexperience to edge out the favourite Honoured Guest.
"She's a nice filly who was a bit green when he let her down. I would expect her to be a Stakes filly next year when she should get between a mile and a mile and a quarter," said Dermot Weld.
The Curragh trainer made it back to Dublin after having been in New York on Saturday night for Reform Act's third placing in the Grade Two Long Island Handicap.
Aidan O'Brien finished the year at home on the 63 winner mark, and just short of 4 million in prizemoney, after Anton Chekov made all the running to cruise up in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes.
Colm O'Donoghue had no doubts about the Montjeu colt's stamina and his confidence was justified as Anton Chekov easily outran the favourite, Star Inside.
Another O'Brien, this time Charles, sent out two for the Premier Nursery and it was the outsider of the pair, Luck Wud Have It, who emerged best under the 19-year-old champion apprentice, Chris Hayes.
Luck Wud Have It won in the colours of owner John Lynch whose main runner is the former Hennesy, SunAlliance and French Champion Hurdle winner Rule Supreme.
Michael Halford ran two in the mile handicap and it was the 12 to 1 shot Deauville Vision who emerged best with her stable companion Nastrelli a non-staying third.
"She had a hard enough race when winning at the Curragh and I'm surprised how well she has come out of it," Halford said. "We will keep her in training for next year and try and get a bit of black type."
Modeeroch secured another Listed success in the Knockaire Stakes as she sped clear of the favourite Ugo Fire in the closing stages while John Murtagh ended the season with an easy victory in the 12 furlong handicap on board Jazz Messenger.
The in form champion jumps trainer Noel Meade joked: "I'm sorry the Flat is over!"
