Hazalaya strikes again at Roscommon

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Hazalaya followed-up on her recent course and distance maiden success, as she claimed the roscommonracecourse.ie Handicap.

Fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time, the Siyouni three-year-old was sent off a 10/3 chance under Ben Coen in the colours of the Aga Khan.

Settled towards rear on the outer, the bay victor made good progress from early in the straight and swept to the front with less than two-furlongs to go.

Ridden over a furlong from home, she needed to be kept up to her work all the way to the line, holding off All Lies Ahead (13/2) and Billy Lee by three-parts-of-a-length.

Returned the 11/4 favourite, Yermanthere didn't get the clearest of runs and was just a head back in third.

"She's improved from her last run. Ben was very happy with her here the last day and we did feel that she had improved a bit. She had to, as stepping up against older handicappers is always tough," Murtagh revealed.

"It's great to get another win into her and we'll see what the handicapper does with her. We'll keep her going as she enjoys that ground - no extremes, not firm or heavy.

"We've found her trip now as we were trying a mile and a mile and one being an Aga Khan bred filly but she has plenty of speed.

"Ben said he got there plenty early today and she was pulling up a little bit in front."

STEWARDS REPORT

C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Pierre Lapin trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly into stride.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee