Erskine lunges late to give Rogers memorable winner

40/1 shot Lord Erskine swooped late to land a big prize for Harry Rogers in the €150,000 Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 11-year-old got on top in the last 50 yards to claim the second prestigious prize of his career, having also landed the Irish Cesarewitch on the Flat back in October 2017. Magical Zoe and Zenta came to battle it out over the last in the two-miler with the former getting on top on the run-in.

She couldn't hold the late charge of Lord Erskine, however, as the Fast Company gelding finished off strongly to secure a three-and-a-half length win under Darragh O'Keeffe.

Magical Zoe just edged the second by a nose from Zenta.

An emotional Rogers said afterwards:- “Darragh knows him well and was very good on him.

“I was a bit worried about the ground but Darragh said it was no problem.

“I could never get him into a good race with a light weight and it was the same on the Flat. He’d a proper weight on his back today and there was a good gallop which suited him.

“His (late) owner Jerry Nolan was a pure gentleman. I rode winners for him and having an owner like him, you couldn’t buy them. He was easy to train for.

“This place has been good to me as a jockey and a trainer.”

There was drama two from home as Ataboycharlie fell, bringing down Bialystok Palace Rock and Morning Soldier Thankfully horses and riders were quickly back on their feet.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)