'What a month we've had!' - Just Dottie lands feature to give Mike Smith a record-breaking May

Mike Smith continues to ride the crest of a wave, with Just Dottie's success ensuring it was a record-breaking month for the trainer.

The seven-year-old mare was following up a win over the course and distance when taking the feature 2m handicap hurdle, giving Smith his fourth success in May, the most he's ever had in one month.

The trainer also enjoyed a big payday when Buy Some Time won at the Punchestown festival late last month

Speaking to Racing TV, Smith – who is operating at a 22 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight – said: "Everything is going well and what a month we've had. A wee boy would dream of these things. 

"I never thought I'd be able to talk to some of these trainers, let alone compete with them. The staff have done a great job and I've got a lot of loyal owners, who right or wrong still stick by you."

All four of Just Dottie's career wins have come at the track, and her length defeat of Mack The Man was her first victory under champion jockey Sean Bowen.

Smith said: "It's a track she likes. Although Ben [Smith] wasn't riding today, he did tell me of the jockeys available Sean Bowen was the man for it and it'd suit him perfectly. 

"She'll go two or three times in the summer. It was a big step up today to find out just what we've got, but to do that was fantastic."

It was the first leg of a double for Bowen, who later teamed up with Olly Murphy to take the 2m4f handicap chase with Stumps Or Slips.

In-form yard

Laura Morgan followed up Wednesday's double at the track with Whistleinthedark, who bolted up by 20 lengths in the 3m handicap chase.

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