Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Dee Sprinter a welcome winner for Roberts
Michael Graham
Dee Sprinter a welcome winner for Roberts
Dee Sprinter, number 12, beats off Maggie Thunder
© Photo Healy Racing
Dee Sprinter dashed home in Dundalk's five-furlong handicap to give trainer Reginald Roberts a first winner in six years.
No less than six horses jostled for the lead sweeping round the home bend with Dee Sprinter just in behind them. Maggie Thunder grabbed a definite lead approaching the final furlong and was ridden to go and win her race with 150 yards left.
However, Dee Sprinter had moved into a threatening position and came home best for Oisin Orr to get up in the closing stages.
The 18/1 winner prevailed by a short head from the 15/8 favourite. Mi Esperanza was three and a quarter lengths adrift in third at 15/2.
"He's shown bits and pieces of form, that he would be able to pick up one of them, and I think the eyeshields today really helped him,” said Orr.
“He travelled well, he only just does enough, but that's all he had to do today. I thought I was up at the line but you can never be 100 per cent sure. He put his head down at the right time.”
Dee Sprinter had been a 17-race maiden before today. This was his first run on an all-weather surface and the first-time he sported eyeshields.
Roberts' last winner was Misty Lane at Dundalk in November 2014.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson