Bookies smile as 33-1 Capel shocks punters.

Byline: Jonathan Kay

CAPEL SMILEY, shock winner of the pounds 9,000 Carlsberg Yorkshire St Leger over 661m at Doncaster at Tuesday, was yesterday reported to be "absolutely bouncing" by coowner Lee Gifkins before of his quick reappearance in the heats of the Coral Essex Vase at Romford tomorrow, for which he is a 20-1 chance outright with the sponsor.

"I'm normally out walking the dogs with dad (trainer Tony) at 5.15 every morning," said Gifkins, who owns the winner with inform Chris Sliney, yesterday, "but I must admit I had a bit of a liein today. I've spoken to dad, though, and he said Capel Smiley is absolutely bouncing."

Returned the 33-1 rank outsider of the field, and traded as high as 85 on Betfair plus for significant sums at 75 and 80, Capel Smiley was third behind Kinda Easy and Carbarns Tom with a lap to go and, crucially, well ahead of market principals Crown Rover and Droopys Zach, who had been in the wars early.

Leading at the fifth bend, the August 2007 son of Droopys Scolari and Garlyn Judy went on to beat Carbarns Tom by almost two lengths in 41.34sec with Lorrys Options keeping on for third, and Droopys Zach rallying late for fourth despite being forced worryingly close to the outside wall at one point.

"I watched a replay of the race when I got home," said Gifkins, "and I don't think you could say he was a lucky winner. The only problem is that the missus is furious with me because I never had a penny on him unlike in the [William Hill] Leger at Wimbledon when I had a lumpy each-way at 33-1!" Capel Smiley was purchased on behalf of Gifkins by Dessie Loughrey as a replacement for Capel Wilson, who suffered a career-ending injury in the final of the Coral Regency at Hove in April. "After Capel Wilson broke his hock, Dessie rang me up and said he'd spotted this dog running at Lifford and did I want him," explained Gifkins.

"I said yes, he bought him for only pounds 5,000 and he was with me a few days later. He's always run against good dogs and I think we've got to know him now. Dad does 80 per cent of the training, with myself and mum chipping in probably 10 per cent each, and I'm really pleased for him more than anything else.

"Obviously he goes to Romford now and, all being well, we'll keep him ticking over because I'm not a big fan of resting them as you can struggle to get them back. He should run in all the big six-bend events next year."

Doncaster, hosting the Sky cameras for a second time after last year's successful William Hill TV Trophy meeting, again came across well and Sky Sports' betting expert Gary Wiltshire was full of praise for the track's leading bookmaker, Andrew Walker.

"He totally dominated, but punters couldn't have had a fairer man on their side," said Wiltshire of Walker. "The only problem for them is that he got the lot and will probably be off on holiday now!

"It was a real throwback to the good old days - I personally saw him lay pounds 3,500-pounds 1,000 twice about Fabulous Quest and still only cut her to 3-1. "I've been in the game 30 years or more, but I can't remember being so impressed and I'd say he is one of the best bookmakers I've seen. I take my hat off to him."

CAPTION(S):

Capel Smiley's connections are exactly that as they pose with their Yorkshire Leger trophy 33-1 shot Capel Smiley wins the Carlsberg Yorkshire St Leger from Carbarns Tom (T5) and Lorrys Options (T2)