IT is not often one gets bumper winners reverting successfully to 10 furlongs, but the Noel Meade trained Try For Ever, who won bumpers at Down Royal and Fairyhouse, was very much at home over that distance at Roscommon last evening when winning the Percy French Maiden by four lengths.
That victory completed a double for champion jockey John Murtagh who had earlier been successful on Matangi in the Lecarrow Maiden. But it was a disastrous meeting for punters and the jackpot was not won leaving a carryover of £3,844 to the next Roscommon meeting.
In front on settling down the once raced John Oxx trained Matangi fairly bolted home to win. Bred by her owner Sheikh Mohammed, the winner is by Shaminit's sire Mtoto and is a half sister to last year's Sea World International winner Darnay. She should improve but nothing more ambitious than handicaps is envisaged for her.
Let It Ride, successful in a claiming hurdle at Kilbeggan and runner up in a flat race at Dundalk last Friday, stormed home to win the Lough Allen Apprentice Handicap by five lengths having led from two furlongs out. One of two horses owned by Turkish Cypriot Aytach Sadik the other, Simply Glorious, was injured here at Roscommon last year and trained by his son Cenjiz "Gus", Let It Ride will return to Kilbeggan for a handicap hurdle next Monday. "He thrives on racing," said his Co Meath based owner.
Hearns Hill may be built like a tank but he clearly relished the fast ground when making all the running to win the Roscommon Chase with ease. Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by John Shortt this dual point to point winner jumped like a stag, readily staying the three miles.
The Jason Titley partnered Decent Luke was a closing second when falling at the second last less than a length adrift, but it is impossible to say whether he would have won. Hearns Hill was entered for a recent hunter chase at Kilbeggan but could not run because of a passport irregularity. Titley was removed to hospital for chest X-rays.
Don't leave the nest came home well on the stands side to win the Roscommon Town and District Vintners Maiden Hurdle at 16 to and this big six year old will shortly be sent over fences. "He is a great leaper, he loves jumping," said his trainer Frank Berry. In a fast and furious gallop the Pat Malone partnered winner looked to have no chance until arriving full of running in the closing stages. He is entered for a begin chase at Clonmel on Thursday, but this race may be a little too soon for him.
A rather messy St Coman's Handicap was won by the Jeremy Harley trained Gold Wind in which hot favourite, the easy Tipperary winner Sweet Ciseaux, finished a disappointing fifth. However, he was not helped by interference on coming out of the stalls. Winning rider Pat Gilson incurred a two day suspension for careless riding.
. Late starter Restructure warmed up for his day trip to Royal Ascot next week with a polished and confidence building victory at Nottingham yesterday.
Half brother to former Champion Hurdler Alderbrook, the Julie Cecil trained four year old, who did not race as a juvenile, proved far too smart for some highly regarded opponents in the Nottingham Evening Post Conditions Stakes.
And his experienced handler immediately nominated the Queen Anne Stakes as the colt's big race target.
Polinesso and Saturday's Derby hero Michael Hills attempted to make all the running but Paul Eddery, oozing confidence, always had the leader in his sights and produced Restructure to take command approaching the furlong pole and score by a length and a halt from Lower Egypt.
