Merisi Diamond gets his conditions out west

Joanna Morgan's Merisi Diamond fended off Mercurial at the end of an extended seven furlongs in the RoscommonRacecourse.ie Handicap.

Ronan Whelan 's partner went for home a furlong and a-half out, but Mercurial and Seamie Heffernan chased them into the final furlong and attempted to get on terms.

Merisi Diamond (9/2) found for Whelan, though and they passed the post half a length up on the pursuer Mercurial (9/1). The runner-up pulled eight lengths clear of Orandi (5/2f).

Whelan said: “The last day (12th in Curragh) everything was a bit sharp for him and he needed it off a long layoff, it probably put him right for today.

“He had his conditions and the race set up lovely for him. When he gets his conditions, he's consistent. Any time it hasn't happened for him there has been a reason for it.

“He's a fine, big, scopey horse and hopefully he's not done yet and that will get him back on track. He can go on to bigger and better things.

“It's nice to get a winner for Joanna too as she's always been very good to me.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson