Lord Erskine, outer, comes to claim Sionnach Eile© Photo Healy Racing
Lord Erskine ground down Sionnach Eile to win the Dick Mulvaney Supporting Roscommon Racecourse Handicap for Harry Rogers.
Sionnach Eile had battled his way past Persian Queen racing into the final furlong, however, Siobhan Rutledge was getting a tune out of Lord Erskine on the outer in third.
Lord Erskine came with his challenge in the final 150 yards and the nine-year-old gelding led close home to win by a head from 10/3 favourite Sionnach Eile (on seasonal reappearance). Great Realisation (16/1) came through for third.
“Hopefully he's looking down, he was a great man to have and a big loss,” said Rogers of the late owner Jerry Nolan.
“Siobhan listened to me, he wants two miles and she got him up there on the outside. She's very good for her 5lb claim.
“She was good because he was out very slow and she made her way up the outside.
“I was glad to see the rain, I wouldn't have run him if it hadn't come so we were just lucky. It's nice to get one.”
This was the seventh victory of Lord Erskine's career.
The Stewards interviewed Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Lord Erskine, concerning her use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In her evidence, Siobhan Rutledge accepted that she had breached the guidelines for frequency and apologised for her actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Siobhan Rutledge was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using her whip with excessive frequency. Having taken her previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Siobhan Rutledge for seven racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
