The Gossiper and Mike O'Connor beat Esperti© Photo Healy Racing
The Gossiper had to survive a stewards enquiry before giving Emmet Mullins and Mike O'Connor a double on the card in the concluding bumper at Down Royal. Blackstair Rocco had landed a significant gamble earlier in the day and his stablemate went to post 7/4 favourite in the finale.
He jumped out to make the running but was tackled by the smooth travelling newcomer Esperti running down the hill.
That rival ran wide off the bend under two furlongs out but was strongly pressing the leader when The Gossiper drifted left over a furlong out, causing his rival interference.
Esperti switched out in the closing stages but couldn't peg back The Gossiper as he stayed on well to record a length-and-a-quarter success.
The winner, successful on his track debut at Wexford in March, was bouncing back to winning ways having been tailed off in Grade 2 company at Aintree before finishing mid-division at Tipperary last month.
O'Connor said afterwards: "He hung throughout the race but he just showed a bit of class about him and seems a nice horse going forward."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
