O'Callaghan takes opener with Stevens

On the day that Kieren Fallon hung up his boots his absence was conspicuous in the opener at Roscommon when a horse that he would have been expected to ride landed the spoils.

Fallon had been stable jockey to Michael O'Callaghan this season and it was his charge Randall Stevens who emerged on top in the seven-furlong juvenile contest.

The 4/1 shot wore down 7/4 favourite Sir Edwin Landseer inside the final furlong to record a neck success in the hands of Pat Smullen. Brutal ran on well in the closing stages to take the runner-up spot another neck ahead of the long-time leader, who had tended to hang left under pressure.

The winner had been behind Sir Edwin Landseer last time when the pair were second and third at Gowran Park.

"We were taking on Aidan's horse again and we decided to change tactics so Pat came with one run,” said O'Callaghan.

“He got through the ground well, and doesn't want any more than seven furlongs. He could go to Galway for the seven-furlong nursery."

Regarding Fallon the Curragh trainer added:-

"What's best for Kieren is the main thing, and he felt that he needed to do it. He will remain in the yard to ride work and help out in whatever way he can."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)