Roi lands a gamble and foils another

Roi De Dubai landed a gamble, and foiled another in the Down Royal Summer Festival Handicap Hurdle.

Successful in a point-to-point for Ken Budds back in 2016, the son of Dubai Destination then changed hands for E38,000.

Unplaced on his first five starts for John McConnell and owner Caroline Ahearn, the six-year-old gelding was available at 25/1 in early shows, touching 8/1 on-course before going off at 7s.

Settled in second by Donal McInerney, the bay victor improved to lead before five out and soon went clear.

He was pushed along and kept up the gallop from the last, going on to score by three and three parts of a length.

The Charles Byrnes trained Viking Hoard was the gamble of the race and he had to settle for second. Having opened on-course at 8/1, he eventually went off the 7/2 favourite. Castle Howard (14/1) was another length back in third, while Mill Quest (11/2) was five and a half lengths away in fourth on her first start for Gordon Elliott.

McConnell said afterwards: "He had shown bits of form, the ground is important to him. Even though he has a roundy action, he won his point-to-point on good to firm.

"He's had niggly little issues but he's not a bad, little horse and he's extremely tough.

"We'll probably head to Bellewstown. That was part of a job done. He won a point-to-point so he'll get three miles."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards fined J.G.Cosgrave, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Loveinalamborghini, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Loveinalamborghini in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90(iv). .

Additional reporting by Michael Graham