Keegan makes breakthrough with Mama Tried

Shane Mulcahy was another jockey to come in for a winning spare at Roscommon.

First-reserve Mama Tried got the call up for the first division of the opportunity handicap hurdle and owner/trainer Charles Keegan enlisted Mulcahy with the steering.

The eight-year-old mare sat close to the pace before picking off Anakar three out. She was soon sent about her business by Mulcahy, but had Grinn closing racing to the last.

The leader jumped it nicely and didn't afford Grinn any chance of reeling her in as she passed the post three and a half lengths to the good.

This was a first winner for Keegan in the training ranks and it came at 20/1. Grinn put in a good shift for second at 80/1. Vischio halved in price from 22/1 to 11/1 and rewarded her each-way backers in third, beaten almost six lengths by the winner.

“She was due a bit of luck in fairness,” said Keegan.

“She ran a decent race at Naas a couple of years ago, but had a bit of an injury after that.

“She had bits and bobs of form and to get that is great. We'll look for something similar, as long as she comes out of it alright is the main thing.”

Mama Tried was last seen finishing sixth behind Gypsy Island in a mares' maiden hurdle at Tipperary last month.

The Stewards received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Starter, Mr. P. L. Malone, that Shane Fenelon, rider of Dalileo P.K. Donovan, rider of Sonny John H. Morgan, rider of High Glory (FR), J.C. Gainford, rider of Zamond (FR), J.B. Foley, rider of Tagg's Island A. McCurtin, rider of Johanna Yeats M. Hamill, rider of Anakar, T.N. Brett, rider of Charlie Bit Me T. Joseph Kelly, rider of Colman's Courage, S.E. Lewis, rider of Fair Day J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Grinn, S.D. Torrens, rider of Gloves On B. Browne, rider of Go Battle R. Deegan, rider of Vischio and T.B. Lyons, rider of Miss Adventurous had all ignored his instructions resulting in a false start. Evidence was heard from the starter and riders concerned. Mr. P. L. Malone stated that he had instructed the riders to stop but they all kept coming and progressed into a trot resulting in the false start. Having viewed the recording of the incident and considered the evidence including the audio, the Stewards were satisfied that all riders were in breach of Rule 208 (v)(b), in that they had disobeyed the starters instructions and having considered the record of the riders concerned they suspended each rider for one raceday.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson