Anchor follows up at Kilbeggan

The eleven-year-old Drop Anchor recorded his first win in four years at Roscommon earlier this month and he followed up this evening as he took the Tullamore Handicap Chase under David Casey for Eddie Cawley.

The son of King's Theatre won a maiden hurdle at Bellewstown in August of 2010 and then went seventeen runs without success.

Sent off an 11/2 chance this evening he raced in mid-division and was pushed along to take closer order from before the fourth last.

He improved into second after two out and jumped to the front at the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score comfortably by six and a half lengths. Duroob finished second at 16/1 under Mark Bolger for Oliver Brady while Glenstar (14/1) was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third under David Splaine for John Ryan.

The Robert Tyner trained Boss Croaker was sent off the 5/2 favourite (backed from 4’s on-course) but he disappointingly pulled up under Davy Condon.

Eddie Cawley said afterwards: "We nearly gave up on him at the end of last year. We were clearing a few out of the yard and he was top of the list.

"He was a ten year old rising eleven and he had only won one moderate maiden.

"We just couldn’t get the races for him, he wants that good ground and he wouldn’t want it too firm. Hopefully he might pick up another one."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Boss Croaker, trained by Robert Tyner, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards received a report from Ion Hamilton , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that M.J. Bolger , rider of Duroob (GB) , weighed in at 2 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he was very dehydrated and had a good drink of water after weighing out. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that M.J. Bolger was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson