Rebel Cry (inside) and Sir Abbot clear the last together© Photo Healy Racing
Rebel Cry followed-up on his win at Thurles in March as he got the better of Sir Abbot in the feature race at Roscommon this evening, the myITdepartment.ie Handicap Chase.
Available at 6/1 last night, the Norman Lee trained nine-year-old was well-backed, and went off the 11/4 favourite under Jack Kennedy.
Prominent in third, Kennedy briefly lost his right iron after the fifth fence. He was left in a share of the lead at the fourth last as Ard Cregg crashed out.
He went a few lengths clear on the approach to the straight, but was strongly pressed and joined by Sir Abbot as they came down to the last.
The duo had a good battle from there with Rebel Cry getting back up to score by a head.
Sir Abbot (9/2 to 4's on-course) had to settle for second under Barry Geraghty for Robert Tyner, while Reafadda (10/1) was a further three and three parts of a length back in third under Danny Mullins for John Ryan. He Rock's was a well-backed 13/2 chance (12's this morning and from 8's on-course) and he finished fifth under Ger Fox for Stephen Mahon.
Norman Lee said afterwards: "That's our best winner yet and its great to have a feature race winner in Roscommon.
"He was only idling in front. He probably hit the front a bit soon but with the light weight he thought he was loose.
"He jumped like a stag and fair play to Jack (Kennedy)."
Conor Maxwell suffered a suspected broken collarbone after his fall from King Norman at the first. He is gone to hospital for x-rays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
