Flat Jockey's Championship leader Jamie Spencer recorded his 71st winner of the season at Roscommon today, in the process moving him 19 clear of nearest rival, Pat Smullen.
However Spencer's win on Pat Fahy's Native Stag in the Betfair Aertel Page 643 Maiden came at a cost when picking up a two day suspension for careless riding.
The gelding drifted right inside the final furlong causing interference to Michael Kinane on two length runner-up Cantari. Although the manoeuvre did not affect the placings, Spencer was later suspended for two days, September 22 and 23.
Fahy later reported 'he ran very badly over hurdles at Galway but on his subsequent Flat run at Gowran, he was entitled to win here. However, I didn't think he'd do it that easily.'
Eccentric trainer Oliver Brady has been getting plenty of practice with his post-race 'sermons' recently and cheers of 'Brady's my name and racing's my game' were heard in the winner's enclosure after his Prince Of Tara won the beginners' chase.
Victory for the well backed 11/8 favourite, however, did not look likely at the final fence although he battled well on the flat to defy Lincam on the line.
Brady was initially occupied for several minutes with handshakes and congratulatory kisses but did get a minute to report 'he hasn't been the most straightforward to train and was only 80% fit coming here. However that was plenty for him to win and he should win a few more races over the Winter.'
Prince Of Tara's jockey Geraghty later completed a double when winning on Joe Crowley's Carrigavantry in the handicap hurdle. Crowley, absent from the racecourse since injuring his leg a month ago, was represented by his asistant Damien Burns who reported 'Joe is still laid up but is getting there.'
Val O'Brien's Logical Star won the most valuable event on the card, the E17,000 Sharp Minds Befair Handicap Chase, under the ever-reliable Larry Hurley.
Afterwards, O'Brien mentioned 'I was a little surprised because I didn't think he'd handle the ground. He'll will now go for a similar race at Listowel or else to Punchestown on Sunday week.'
The opening two year old seven furlong maiden was won by newcomer Adaala, under Declan McDonogh. Kevin Prendergast's filly was ridden to lead a furlong and a half out and stayed on well for a length and a half win over All Woman.
Both Prendergast and owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum were absent although McDonogh did comment 'she is a lovely filly, handled the soft ground and can only improve from that.'
Trainer Adrian McGuinness was pleasantly surprised by the win of his Victram in the 1m2f handicap. Ridden by promising seven pound claimer Christy Geoghegan, Victram stayed on well to head front running Norborne Bandit inside the final furlong, eventually staying on for a three length win over the staying on Penny Rich.
According to McGuinness, 'I thought he wouldn't handle the soft ground and is not long in after having a break. He'll go for the 4yo handicap hurdle at Listowel now.'
The concluding bumper was won by Border Quaich, who received a strong ride from promising amateur Kevin Bowens.
