Vestigia, far side shades Akecheta by a neck© Photo Healy Racing
Vestigia justified 5/4 favouritism with a stout performance in first-time blinkers in the extended 10-furlong handicap at Roscommon for trainer Sheila Lavery.
He was in front a fair bit out, but was staying on all the time. Akecheta (8/1) kept at it and cut into the deficit all the while in the final furlong, but was a neck in arrears at the winning post.
Vestigia doubled his career total having shed his maiden tag at Gowran Park in May.
Jockey Gary Carroll said: “It was an ideal opportunity. The blinkers obviously helped sharpen him up, he jumped and travelled well.
“He got there and probably parked, he did well to hang on. With the blinkers he couldn't see the other horse either. It made it a bit tough but he hung on, which is great.
“He had been running well and ran well in a Group 3, that's probably where he got his rating.
“He's a solid horse, handles the soft ground and gets that trip and he'll probably get a bit further.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
