Quick double for Heffernan as Table delivers
The feature flat race of the day at Roscommon, the Property Partners Earley Auctioneers Handicap of €21,000, produced another close finish with Table Mountain the 9/2 second favourite, just getting up on the line to nab Top Spin (7/1).
The winning son of Milan was purchased by his now trainer Robbie Hennessy for 200,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Horses in training sale last October from the yard of Ballydoyle maestro, Aidan O'Brien.
He managed to win two races from his four starts for O'Brien both of which came at Navan in October of last year.
On his first start for Hennessy, he disappointed on his debut over hurdles finishing well behind Louisville Lip at Thurles in January.
In the now testing conditions at Roscommon (ground now yielding), the winner, under Seamie Heffernan (who was recording a quick double after scoring on Blackwitch Woman , looked in trouble from a fair way out, but he plugged on gamely to catch Top Spin close home, just getting up by a short head.
Winning trainer Robbie Hennessy said afterwards: "That's a relief after paying 200,000 guineas for him!
"He came back with a very sore back after his run over hurdles and we gave him a break then to freshen him up. He was a bit immature and we were rushing him with the Triumph Hurdle in mind. He will make an nice novice hurdler next season.
"Seamie (Heffernan) said he liked the ground and stays all day. He has plenty of options now and we will stick to the flat with Galway in mind."
The 4/1fav Gift from the Sea for Jim Bolger and Ronan Whelan ran wide on the bend pass the stands and that virtually ended his chances.