Roxhill Roise leads Crooked Tannie over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Gilligan, champion conditional elect, partnered his 38th winner of the season in Ireland when guiding Roxhill Roise to a narrow success in the Adare Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
The winner of a point-to-point on debut at Dromahane in November, the David O'Brien-trained six-year-old filled the runner-up spot on her fourth track outing at Thurles in February.
Disappointingly pulled up mostly recently at Leopardstown, the Getaway bay was available at 10/1 in early shows for this two-mile five-furlong contest, eventually going off a 7/1 chance in the colours of the Cairde Gaoil Syndicate.
Soon settled behind the leaders, she took closer order before two out and got to the front approaching the last, keeping on well in the closing stages to fend off the late challenge of Prince Palace (5/2) by half-a-length.
The front-running Crooked Tannie (2/1f) jumped left at times and had no more to offer once headed before the last, eventually finishing another three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.
"She is a grand mare. She disappointed at Leopardstown, Sean (Flanagan) said she was flat for some reason," O'Brien revealed.
"We freshened her up after that and we took a chance coming here as the ground was drying out. Danny said he was kind of hauling her around the bends but once she hit the rising ground she stayed on well.
"She will make a lovely chaser and I'm delighted for her owners. They bought her as a foal as a comrade of another one for just E800.
"She won a point-to-point first time out and she was very keen but is learning to settle now. I thought Danny was very good on her now but Sean gave him good instructions.
"I'll see what way the ground goes, I might give her one more run before she goes out. She is on the go a while but she is learning her trade so another run mightn't do her any harm. Running around here was good experience for her and touch wood she'll be okay after it."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards interviewed D. Moloney, rider of Wepushourlucksofar concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his first two uses of the whip were flicks and he didn't count them. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that D. Moloney was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard (third offence) they suspended him for eight racedays.
Niall Moore, rider of Pirate Island trained by Philip Fenton, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.
Shane Fenelon, rider of Kings Prince (GB), trained by E.Sheehy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. The I.H.R.B Veterinary officer subsequently confirmed that Kings Prince (GB) had blood at nostrils post race.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from David M.O'Brien, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Roxhill Roise, placed first, as compared with its most recent form when pulling up. David M.O'Brien stated that his charge may have ran flat the last day and has since freshened up. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted its content.
