Royal Pippen in dominant form

Royal Pippen swept home for an authoritative success in the Elphin Handicap in Roscommon.

An extended seven furlongs was the trip on offer and it was the grey Wee Pablo who dictated out in front.

Royal Pippen made headway from fifth to second and set off in pursuit of the leader a furlong and a half from home.

Wee Pablo was sending out distress signals and Royal Pippen powered past him racing to the final furlong.

He soon strode clear to win decisively by four and a half lengths at 10/1. In a bunch finish for the placings, El Padre (15/2) took second by a head from 9/2 favourite Wee Pablo.

Owner/trainer Shane Donohoe said: “I love the horse, I think he's a good little horse. He loves soft ground and Sam (Ewing) said that was probably quick enough for him.

“He'll go to Listowel and hopefully he can keep improving, he's only four.

“He ran a cracker in Listowel last year and that's where he'll go again now.”

This was Royal Pippen's second career success having scored at Limerick last October.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson