McAuley wins but with lesser fancied Roderick

Is That Love was sent off the 13/8 favourite for the Complete Coverage Of Irish Racing Only On Racing TV Claiming Race, but it was Roderick his lesser fancied stable companion, who came out on top.

Successful three-times before being purchased by current connections in October, the six-year-old was fourth of five on his Irish debut at Dundalk in February, disappointing on his next start.

As short as 9/2 in early shows for this mile contest, the Pastoral Pursuits gelding proved friendless with punters, eventually going off a 20/1 chance under Gary Carroll.

Owned and trained by James McAuley, the bay victor was soon settled in second and was ridden to challenge between horses from over a furlong out.

He gradually wore down the front-running Brown Eagle inside the final furlong, edging to the front inside the final 50-yards before going on to prevail by a head.

The runner-up was returned at 12/1 under Billy Lee for Michael Grassick, while the aforementioned market leader, who had every chance from the furlong pole, was a neck back in third.

"I thought he would have needed the run. He reared up in the stalls in Dundalk and gave himself a small nick which looked like nothing but he got a septic tendon sheet which had to be completely flushed out. That's why he was off and we really didn't think he'd be ready," McAuley revealed.

"We bought him for 4,000 (guineas), he is in at E10,000 now and he is a fine big horse.

"He doesn't go in Dundalk so isn't really my type but he is more for hurdles - if he isn't claimed we'll bang away with him."

The following were later claimed:

Winner Roderick by Premier Racing Club for E10,000 to be trained by Denis Hogan.

Third-place finisher Is That Love by John Nallen for E10,000.

Fifth-place finisher Talkin Tough was a friendly claim.

Seventh-place finisher Might And Mercy by Pat McKenna for E8,000.

Eighth-place finisher New Route by JM Keogh for E10,000 to be trained by Shane Duffy.

STEWARDS REPORTS

C. Horgan, rider of Super Surprise trained by Edmond Kent, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was very slowly away.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed W.J. Lee, rider of Brown Eagle, concerning his use of the whip in the home straight of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. W.J. Lee accepted that he was in breach and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found W.J. Lee in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard they cautioned him on this occasion.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes