Fill The Tank stays on best under McDonagh

Fill The Tank successfully reverted to the smaller obstacles in the Elphin Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon.

The seven-year-old gelding had been pulled up in his last couple of races over fences and went off at 11/1 for this contest.

He raced on the inner before three out with the leader Pass The Ball well within his sights.

Mark McDonagh soon switched him out for a run and the pair closed at the next. They led narrowly at the last, however, Kigorey was almost on terms on the outer.

Fill The Tank stayed on strongly as soon as he touched down and came in by a length and a quarter. Siberian Star kept on for second at 15/2, a length in front of Doldido (12/1). Kigorey dropped away to fourth at 22/1.

“The ground was the key. When he ran in Tipperary last time they were calling it yielding but they over watered it,” said trainer Aengus King.

“We had another horse that was favourite that day, and we were expecting her to run well, but she pulled up distressed.

“For the size of him you'd think he would like heavy ground but he seems to perform on this kind of ground.

“He is what is he. He'll go back over fences next time. Once we get him going and get him fit we don't do too much at home after that.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson