Landero at a canter in feature

Landero never came off the bit when putting some hardened stayers to the sword in the featured Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon.

Robbie Power guided him past a flat to the boards Treacle approaching the second last and from there he scooted home hard held by seven and a half lengths. Courtncatcher (11/2) won the race for second, three and a quarter lengths ahead of Corrick Bridge (14/1), and 12/1 chance Best Value

A significant gamble was landed on the six-year-old trained by Andrew Heffernan as he sharply contracted from 10/1 to 5/1 favourite in the betting market on course. He had opened at 16/1 this morning.

“He travelled very well and jumped super. The step up to three miles brought about good improvement,” Robbie Power commented.

Landero’s only previous victory came in a Down Royal maiden hurdle over two miles in June last year. This was his first attempt at three miles.

Irish Grand National hero Liberty Counsel came in sixth for Dot Love and Ben Dalton. Recent Connacht National winner Golden Kite was a non-runner due to being found to be lame.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes