Steps Match makes stamina count in staying hurdle

Steps Match showed an abundance of stamina to see out the trip best of all when landing the Roscommon Herald Handicap Hurdler under Kieren Buckley.

A winner of one of his previous 19 starts, the Michael Butler trained gelding tracked the pace in fourth place before being sent in pursuit to clear leader Kilmurray Jj after four out.

Jockey Kieren Buckley didn't get serious on the eight-year-old until two out, asking for more as they bridged the gap on the leader steadily.

Arriving upsides at the final flight. Steps Match pulled away on the run in to score decisively.

Kieren Buckley said, “I thought we went a good honest gallop the whole way. We stepped it up a gear with a circuit to go and I was happy enough to follow as long as I could.

“I’d a little bit of worry turning in but he was strong from the second last. He’s idled up to the line and done it quite easy in the end. Hopefully we’ll have another good day with him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee