No splitting Craig and Oscar

Lasoscar and Craig Star were the obvious ones, up the top of the handicap with last time out wins to their names in race six at Roscommon. They duly went and dead-heated in the two and a half mile Tote Handicap Hurdle.

The sweet-travelling Lasoscar, a course and distance winner from here 27 days back, looked a big possibility to take the spoils outright as they raced for home up the straight.

However Liam Cusack's runner, with David Mullins up, couldn't quite get the upper hand on the doughty battler, Craig Star (first victory since joining the paid ranks for J J Slevin).

The longer the wait for the result to be called the higher the prospect of a dead-heat, and so it transpired with six and a half and three lengths back to the third and fourth placed outsiders, Profoundly and West Light

"We'll take a dead-heat rather than a second any day of the week," said Sean Doyle, trainer of Craig Star.

"He's a tough little horse and galloped the whole way to the line.

"JJ gave him a super ride. That's his first win as a pro and I'm delighted to give it to him. He's a very good chap and would give you a hand anytime."

Meanwhile Liam Cusack said: "I felt he (Lasoscar) was in good form. He got a fair penalty for winning last time.

"These handicaps are always competitive and there was plenty of money for a few today.

"He's game and very genuine. I might just up him in class now off a lighter weight and there is a race coming up in Ballinrobe for him.

"David gave him a lovely ride and arrived there at the right time. I thought we were up and knew we weren't beaten anyway."

The Stewards interviewed J.J. Slevin, rider of Craig Star, concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) and 10.3(g), in that he used the whip with excessive force and with his arm above shoulder height and having considered his clean record, suspended him for one race day.

(GC & EM)