'Special' Atan lands a gamble

The Pat Flynn trained Atan landed a gamble in the opener at Roscommon this evening, the Railway Bar 3yo Maiden Hurdle (the first race of its kind this year), as he scored under Davy Russell.

Available at 7/1 in a place this morning the son of Alhaarth opened on-course at just 7/2, the price at which he was returned.

Third at the halfway stage, he was ridden in fourth at the third last and was right on the heels of the leaders before the last flight.

He hit the front on the run-in and despite showing signs of greenness he went on to score by a length. Cabarete who led for most, finished second at 25/1 under Jonathan Burke for Aidan Fogarty while the 15/8 favourite (opened at 5/2 on-course) Lady Clitico was a further three parts of a length back in third under David Casey for Charlie Swan.

Pat Flynn, who also owns the winner, said afterwards: "I said to Davy (Russell) before the race that this is a special horse.

"Davy said he won with a lot of ease. He might be going to the Doncaster Sale at the beginning of next month.

"He won so easily that he was looking around him near the finish. He's a lovely horse and he will be even better in a better race, they weren’t going fast enough for him.

"He will stay all day and he is as good a horse as ever I had to be honest about it. He cost a lot of money as a yearling."

The Stewards received a report from Turf Club Starter, J R Banahan, regarding the false start in this race. Mr. Banahan stated that the false start was caused by a malfunction with the loudspeaker system leading to the riders being unable to hear his instructions. Having viewed the recording of the false start and considered the evidence, the Stewards referred the matter to The Turf Club for further investigation.