Ashjar and Pat Smullen beat them all off© Photo Healy Racing
He mightn't have come up to expectations at Leopardstown last time when seventh but back in trip Ashjar benefitted from an excellent Pat Smullen drive in the Property Partners Earley Auctioneers Maiden. The Offaly man was completing a double at Roscommon having landed the first on Jack Naylor
Willie Mullins' winner, in the Simenon colours of Wicklow Bloodstock Limited, seemed to enjoy the front-running role and he fought off all comers in the closing stages.
In the end the 7/2 shot had three parts of a length, a length, and two and three parts of a length in hand on the favourite, Ebadani The Plan Man and Fourni
"I think that's his trip and he definitely enjoyed the top of the ground.
"I was lucky that I was able to dictate," reported Smullen.
R.P. Whelan, rider of Mississippi John trained by Garry Caldwell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle the ground.
(DM & EM)
