Pandion shows his Power in Roscommon

Johnny Murtagh's Pandion Power (7/1) rallied to winning effect in Division 1 of the Roscommon Racecourse On Facebook Handicap over the extended seven-furlongs.

He was under pressure and headed by Little Keilee approaching the final furlong and the latter looked to be rolling home best.

However, with 100 yards to go Pandion Power refused to yield and worked his way back into a narrow lead. He kept on best to see off Little Keilee (12/1) by a short head with 8/1 Guest Star completing the places in third, some two-and-a-quarter-lengths adrift.

Jockey Rory Mulligan said: “He kept fighting the whole way to the line.

"We were a long time waiting for it, but all he needed was the soft ground.

“He's a good horse and he stays well when he gets there.

“Things are going well at the minute, I'm getting plenty of winners and Johnny is being very good to me. I can't complain.”

The Raceday Stewards interviewed J. Pietropaolo, rider of Little Keilee, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and stated that his mount was hanging. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J. Pietropaolo was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for five racedays.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed J. Cleary, rider of Bang Po concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and stated that his mount rolled around. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J. Cleary was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard(third offence), they suspended him for nine racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson