Eagle finds his wings in Roscommon claimer

Brown Eagle made every post a winning one to take the opening claiming maiden at Roscommon for Michael Grassick and Billy Lee.

The Gleneagles gelding had been placed in maiden company as a two-year-old but had been well beaten on both outings this season.

In first time blinkers today he bounced out in front in the seven furlong contest and picked up well when asked for an effort passing the two pole.

Ger Lyons' newcomer Plankton (8/13f) chased him home in the closing stages but never looked like pegging back the Joe Keeling-owned front-runner who posted a three-parts-of-a-length victory.

The winner was available at 20/1 this morning but went to post a 15/2 shot. The market had been shaken up after the withdrawal of Schiele, who had been odds-on favourite this morning.

Lee said:- “The blinkers were a big help to him. He bounced out well and travelled lovely all the way around. I was able to get a breather down around the bottom and he kept finding well in the straight.

“The ground is yielding and he enjoyed that. He kept galloping well to the line.

“He’s a solid horse who had been keeping good company and that is a step down in grade for him.”

Michael Grassick later reported by phone, "That winner is in memory of my grandmother, dad's mother, Alice who passed away yesterday.

"It was a big drop in class and Billy gave him a lovely ride. If he comes out of the race alright he could go for another claimer up in trip at Fairyhouse on Friday."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)