Ted swoops late to see off Roman
Winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2013, the Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old did well to register his second success over fences, having looked in trouble as the six-runner field turned into the straight to face the third last fence.
Ted Veale was staying on under pressure, in third place, when The Black Russian fluffed the final fence, handing the advantage to the flattering Un Beau Roman before Barry Geraghty’s mount swept through to take command and triumph by a length and a quarter.
The winning trainer conceded: “He’s not the biggest and doesn’t have the scope to be top-class over fences. But he has plenty of heart, which counts for a lot. He’s not a soft ground horse, and has his own way of doing things. But he’s been a good servant for John (Breslin).”
Fresh from his four-timer at the Curragh on Sunday and facing a one-day suspension today, Joseph O’Brien triumphed on his only ride, odds-on favourite A Greater Force in the mile-and-a-half www.roscommonracecourse.ie Maiden.
On and off the bridle throughout, the 4/6 shot challenged on the inside of Beyond Intensity in the straight before getting on top and prevailing by two and a half lengths.
O’Brien commented, “He’s lazy and laid-back. But he has improved with each run and is a nice staying horse for the future. He should improve when he’s gelded.”
Michael O’Callaghan introduced a potentially useful performer Military Angel to deny favourite Devonshire in the opening two-year-old fillies auction maiden, scoring emphatically from a high draw.
“She was a bit slow away and, from a bad draw, I had to sit and suffer until the gap came, but she picked up and won well, ” admitted winning rider Fran Berry, who lost his whip inside the final furlong, while O’Callaghan added: “Jim Ryan did a great job pre-training her and I think she’s a very nice filly. She’s well-bred, closely related to Alexander Goldrun.”
In the flat handicaps, Henson, described by his trainer David Marnane as “progressive and learning the game” landed the Follow Roscommon On Facebook Handicap en route to the October Sales while the Michael Halford-trained Shadagann (Sean Corby) made all to defy top-weight in the apprentice handicap, prompting his trainer to state: “He ran his heart out in Listowel but was mugged on the line and this is good compensation - he deserved it.”
County Clare handler John Brassil savoured his first success for almost three years when Jamesmichael, in his own colours, landed the Munsboro Maiden Hurdle, getting the better of Redrobin and Myles Ahead.
Winning rider Brian O’Connell was banned for two days for using his whip with excessive frequency.
The bumper went to the Andy Slattery-trained 22/1 shot Lady Aoife, ridden by Harley Dunne, which was left in front when the favourite Hickson broke down, when disputing the lead, inside the final furlong.
