Review ROSCOMMON 16TH AUG

Navan trainer Michael Cunningham has done very well with his mare Tara's Gift, who claimed her sixth handicap win in the feature event, the E25,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap, at Roscommon today.

The 6yo, who made virtually all the running and battled well under Padraig Beggy to defeat Floscula by two lengths, has now won from ratings ranging from 43 to 73.

Cunningham later commented 'she is an amazing mare and would have seven handicaps but was disqualified once. The first time cheek pieces were a big help in making her concentrate today.'

Easiest winner of the day also proved to be Trim restricted license holder Cathy O'Leary's first training success when Monitor eased to a three length win in the two mile handicap hurdle under Ruby Walsh.

O'Leary is a sister to trainer Tony Martin and owns a Spa Hydrotherapy treatment yard in Trim while she also seems to have inherited some of her brother's training ability. She reported that Monitor 'has bad suspensory ligaments but the spa treatment has worked wonders with him.'

Shay Barry would have received a perfect ten for effort following his riding of Joe Crowley's Fatherofthebride, who won the Shannon Handicap Chase.

Barry's description of the winner as 'lazy' was something of an understatement although the gelding met his match in the Co Waterford rider who forced the winner to a length success, having driven the horse to the front at the fourth last fence.

Jessica Harrington's Star Horse claimed his second hurdle win, in the Athleague Novice Hurdle.

Star Horse's rider, Robert Power, arrived back in Ireland at 11am this morning following his trip to Australia where he played a part on the winning Irish team in the Jockeys' Challenge.

Harrington later mentioned 'it's great to have Robert back riding for us again although we did have a concern over the soft ground with Star Horse. However, he handled it well and will now go for a another similar event.'

Kilmore Princess was a deserving winner of the opening Tulsk Fillies Maiden with Jerry O'Dwyer's mount making all for an eased down three and a half length win.

The daughter of Orpen had finished second on her previous four starts with winning trainer Michael Halford reporting 'she kept finding one too good for her and was a little unlcuky last time at Down Royal. She'll go for a 7f handicap at Gowran soon.'

John Oxx runners at this venue must always be respected and his Diplomats Daughter improved one position on her runner-up placing at Naas recently, when winning the 1m2f maiden under Michael Kinane.

The concluding winners' bumper was won by Eye On The Ball who looked an above average sort, winning under Timmy Hyde.

Thomas Weekes.