Mammoth Byrnes/Russell treble still alive

Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell brought up their Roscommon double with the heavily-punted Mr Smith who took the two and a half mile handicap hurdle in good style.

There was a major plunge on the three Byrnes horses running in Roscommon this evening and with War Anthem obliging in the preceding race, bookmakers were running for cover ahead of Top Of The Town in the 8.10 race.

Mr Smith had been backed from 12/1 to 5/2 during the day and the gamble continued at the track as he went off the 7/4 favourite.

Davy Russell settled the five-year-old gelding in mid-division before the pair made good headway five out.

They soon raced on the heels on the heels of the leaders on the inside and hit the front after the third last.

Mr Smith was full of running as he quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals. Once the last was negotiated he was home and hit the line four and a quarter lengths up on Tb Broke Her (6/1). Railway Pearl (33/1) and 3/1 shot Jack Slade came in third and fourth respectively.

“They are going well. We've straightened up a bit after Galway as we were on our knees!” Charles Byrnes said.

“He's a deadly man. He pushed his way through on the rail all the way down the back.”

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, P.L. Malone, that R.A. Doyle, rider of Railway Pearl weighed in at 1.6lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who admitted the offence and then stated that he was riding at a very comfortable weight but had gone to the toilet after weighing out and subsequently drank a bottle of lucozade to replace lost weight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that R.A. Doyle was in breach of Rule 231 (iii) and suspended him for one race day having taken his previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson