Chara proves a friend to Roscommon punters Favourite backers got off to a winning start as the well supported Mo Anam Chara landed the opening Roscommon Claiming Maiden. Backed from 2/1 into 6/5f, Ronan Whelan led early on the Circus Maximus filly owned by his mother, Kathleen. Headed by Queen Of Newark after a couple of furlongs, Whelan was content to sit second on the Mark Fahey trained three-year-old before renewing his challenge early in the straight. Leading over a furlong out, Mo Anam Chara stayed on well to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Star Of Beauty, with Queen Of Newark back in third. “She did it very well. She has good form and she’s probably still well handicapped, I think,” said Fahey. “She’s versatile, she can go seven or six. She shows plenty of speed. “It’s my first winner for Kathleen, Ronan’s mam. We know Tom and Kathleen a long time, they are from Monasterevin as well, so I’m delighted to get a winner for them. “We’ll see what happens now. If she’s claimed whoever claims her will knock good fun out of her, she’s a good sound horse. If she’s not she’ll win a few races for us.” There were no claims following the race. (Quotes by Gary Carson)
