Rocky off tonight but Samollie does the biz for Garvan

Rockys Pride has done Garvan Donnelly proud the last couple of weeks at Dundalk and with that one getting a rest tonight, it was the turn of Samollie to step up to the plate for the Garristown, County Dublin trainer, landing the Rambo By Horseware Ireland Handicap from three pounds out of the handicap under Gary Phillips.

The successful Strategic Prince gelding (his first crop last year included Group 1 winner La Collina who defeated the colts in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He now stands at Coolmore at €6,000) beat Dimitar by a head. Samollie got on top close home and there was just a further neck and a length back to joint favourites Elusive In Paris and Vassaria in third and fourth.

Gary Phillips was registering his fourth victory here and Donnelly explained: "He (Samollie) had a good run here two runs back.

"Then we decided to go to Wolverhampton. He was a bit free there and things didn't quite go to plan.

"The mile and a furlong there probably caught him out. We said we'd come back here, claimed off him and it's worked out.

"The owner (Martin Sheridan) has been with me a long time. I'm delighted to win a race for him.

"We'll go for something similar now and he acts of fast ground."

The Stewards requested a report from Mr Garvan Donnelly, trainer, into the apparent improvement in form of Samollie, winner, compared with his previous run at Wolverhampton, when the horse finished seventh of eight.

The trainer reported that the horse didn’t appreciate being ridden more prominently last time and also possibly appreciated the step back in trip to seven furlongs today . Having considered the report the Stewards accepted the explanation offered. (AM & EM)