O'Brien's strike again in bumper

Sarah and Aidan O'Brien kept up their good strike rate in bumpers this season as Exactoris took the Boyle INH Flat Race at Roscommon.

The Shantou gelding had finished over 15 lengths behind Hurricane Fly's half-sister Avichi when making his debut at Killarney last month but left that form well behind here.

Avichi again set the pace but the 5/4 favourite was a spent force as Exactoris was driven to the front just over a furlong out.

The 5/2 chance was kept up to his work to beat Star Foot by three quarters of a length, with the favourite another two and a quarter lengths further away in third.

Aidan O'Brien said, "He improved a lot from the first day when he was very very green, unusually green. He didn't even know what the tape was then.

“He pulled out there when the others joined him and was very genuine. He's a big genuine galloper. I'd imagine he'll go for another bumper but I'll have to talk to Frank (Berry, J P McManus' racing manager) and Joseph.”

(GC & AM)