Pillar Of Hope gets the split for in-form Sweeney

Paul Sweeney continued his good form when market-mover Pillar Of Hope took the On-Course Vets Handicap in Roscommon at odds of 11/2.

Patrick McGettigan was up top and the pair got a good tow into the race in third rounding the home turn.

That ideal slot became problematic a furlong and a half out , though, as the pair were stuck in a pocket on the rail behind the leader Adel and tracking Lauderdale King .

McGettigan rode his mount to keep in touch with the aforementioned pair and the split came at the furlong pole.

Pillar Of Hope didn't need much invitation as he strode past Adel in the final 150 yards. From there, he kept on nicely to see it out by a length and three quarters.

The winner was backed from 10/1 to 11/2 while runner-up Adel went off at 20/1. Connecteo was almost five lengths away in third at 10/1.

“He won well the last day and we thought he had improved from it,” said Sweeney.

“That's more his trip now and at the end of the year now he's getting his ground.

“He'll run on Sunday in the premier handicap (Leopardstown) and hopefully he'll get us on the map.

“He's been a good servant, but he's getting on in years.

“We'll maybe try him over hurdles and see how he gets on.”

This was Sweeney's third winner from his last seven runners.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson