Back On The Road, left, pips Under The Spell at Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
Gareth Malone’s persistence on board Back On The Road paid off as he got Arthur Moore’s gelding up in a driving finish to pip Under The Spell and Keoghs Bar at Roscommon.
Malone was scrubbing away in behind the other two, but when he switched his mount right at the last he got a great tune out of the veteran ten-year-old who won by a head at 10/1.
Sean Flanagan and Under The Spell were second at 28/1 while Keoghs Bar showed a welcome return to form a neck away in third at 25/1 under Eddie O’Connell.
Arthur Moore said: “We took the horse over to get the young lad (Gareth Malone) going. He lives beside us and has plenty of experience. He had his first winner ten days ago [Jack The Hat].
“The slightly better ground helped and that’s his ideal trip. He’ll probably be sold to go hunter chasing in England.”
Gareth Malone is a son of ex-Kildare footballer Daithi Malone.
The gamble of the race was Robert Murphy’s Stylos Ace from 25/1 in the morning, to an opening show of 16/1 and an SP of 8/1, however, he came in sixth. Stonesinmypocket was the 5/2 favourite, but could make no impression in seventh.
(on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
