Dollar Value has too much class for Roscommon rivals

Dollar Value in for a price of E15,000, made virtually all and ran out an easy winner of the opener at Roscommon this evening, the Knockcroghery Claiming Hurdle.

The highest rated runner in the line-up, the admirable Tom McCourt-trained nine-year-old was fourth to Como Park at Bellewstown on Saturday and turned out again quickly, he was sent off an 11/4 joint-favourite.

In front after the first, the now 12-time winner soon increased his advantage under Alex Harvey.

While his lead was reduced from four out, the Exchange Rate grey had all his rivals off the bridle before the next and went on again from two out, eventually coming home 14-lengths to the good.

Returned at 80/1, Coastal World kept on well to take second under Mark McCrory, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Gino Drummer Boy (14/1) was half-a-length away in third.

The hat-trick seeking Kendancer was the other joint-favourite and he disappointingly pulled up.

"When you get him on that kind of day he's great," said McCourt.

"He's had little bits of niggly issues over the last year. We'll see whether anyone claims him, I'd like to have him for another bit.

"He gallops them into the ground once he gets into that rhythm. He never wins a race by a length or two, when he wins he annihilates them."

On the benefit of claimers for older horses he added: "It gives them a chance in against mostly out of form horses.

"He ran well on Saturday but three mile just stretched him a bit.

"I'd love to run him over fences but he's very highly rated. He's not the easiest horse to keep right so you can't keep running him to get him down (the handicap). He doesn't owe us anything."

William Delahunty later claimed seventh placed finisher Gordons Aura for E5,000.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Kendancer (FR), trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson