Shantou Warrior (purple and white) © Photo Healy Racing
Shantou Warrior (15/2) completed a 50/1 double for Darragh O'Keeffe when landing the two-mile handicap hurdle.
The eight-year-old, whose only previous win was at Sligo over three years ago, was held up in mid-division before making headway on the run to the second-last. He went second after that flight and led before the last which he jumped accurately. Locally-trained favourite Where's Bunny rattled home from off the pace to give chase but the winner pulled out a bit more to hold that one by three parts of a length. Natural Look was another to com from well back to grab third place, a further length and three quarters away, with the always-prominent Red Striker in fourth. Morepowertoya (5/1) in the opener had been O'Keeffe's first winner.
Winning trainer Prunella Dobbs said: "I've had a slow start this year so it's great to get one on the board. He didn't win last year but won the year before. He is just a good, solid handicapper and is very consistent. It was his first run of the year at Roscommon.
"It's disappointing that the syndicate aren't here. They are an amazing syndicate who are into shooting and fishing and are friends of mine. They are very supportive and every horse I've had for them has won. I'm just sorry that none of them could come today.
"We will just keep at it with him now, he likes the summer ground. He had a very good rider on board today. I'm always so pleased when Darragh is available for me because he is an exceptional rider."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
