A dramatic Athlone Handicap at Roscommon today saw Shane 'Dusty' Foley, who lies second in the Apprentice Jockeys' Championship, pick up a nine day suspension for careless riding, which caused two horses to exit the race in the early stages. Spavento under Rory Cleary, was squeezed for room on the inner, slipping up soon after the start and brought down Keyala Both riders, Rory Cleary and Robbie Burke, were taken to Roscommon hospital with Cleary going for x-rays on suspected facial injuries and Burke suffering suspected neck and head injuries.
The race was won, by the narrowest of margins, by Patrickswell under Leigh Roche. The Marcus Callaghan trained grey gelding benefited from runner-up Thats A Fret s bad drift to the left inside the final furlong, effectively presenting Patrickswell with his winning chance.
The win was Roche's, who is based with Dermot Weld, second career winner.
