Fav unlucky as Sir enjoys longer trip

The Easter Eggstravaganza At Dundalk Stadium Maiden will likely be best remembered for the horrible luck endured by the supporters and connections of the gambled-on favourite Roconga He finished third in the two miler as Sir Raston took the spoils for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen.

Wayne Lordan tried to go up the inner on Edward O’Grady's 11/8 market-leader (from much bigger earlier) in the final quarter mile, but whatever room was there quickly disappeared.

Roconga was badly hampered behind In The House and his chance essentially ended.

At the business end the up-in-trip Calumet Farm's owned Sir Raston got the better of 2014 Triumph Hurdle hero, Tiger Roll in the final hundred and fifty yards and went on to prevail by half a length.

The unlucky Roconga ran on well to be a neck off them in third.

"We didn't know if he would get the two miles but they went very steady. I kept filling him with confidence, and he was able to use his bit of speed. I always felt he was capable of winning a race like that," reflected Smullen.

The result stood following a steward's enquiry.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference early in the straight involving Roconga, ridden by W.M. Lordan, placed third and In The House, ridden by W.J. Lee, placed fifth, where it appeared that Roconga ran short of room when challenging on the rails. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings.

The Stewards were of the opinion that the interference was caused by both W.J. Lee and W.M. Lordan riding carelessly and consequently suspended W.J. Lee for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration and suspended W.M. Lordan for 1 raceday having taken his good record into consideration.

P.B. Beggy, rider of Samantha Hill trained by Christopher Phillips, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung to the right throughout the race.

Christopher Phillips, trainer of Samantha Hill, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge was found to be lame of her off hind post race

(AM & EM)