Conor Hoban, Jerry Nolan and Harry Rogers with Lord Erskine© Photo Healy Racing
Owner Jerry Nolan, trainer Harry Rogers and rider Conor Hoban had a win to savour when Lord Erskine gained the day in the Irish Cesarewitch at Navan.
There were a few defections but a huge field of 24 still went to post for the two miler and Lord Erskine was a 25/1 chance despite the fact that he was going for a third win in a row.
However when one considers that he started the sequence off 54 at Roscommon at the end of August it's clear that there were others in the mix with more obvious credentials.
The former Godolphin racer (picked up by current connections for 5,500 guineas) is clearly highly progressive though, and he gets through testing ground really efficiently.
Those attributes saw him get the better of Snow Falcon by two and a half lengths on this occasion, having been never far from the pace in this marathon assignment.
"They went a nice gallop, he was off a light weight and it suited him. It's nice to get a prize like that for a good owner. He was a weak horse when I got him first and he's just got better with a bit of time," said Rogers.
"Jerry (Nolan) has been a patient owner and it's worked out. He could go now for the Naas November Handicap over a mile and a six.
"That would be as good a prize as I have won out from Silent Oscar winning the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. It's certainly my biggest on the Flat."
R.P. Whelan, rider of Sea The Lion trained by Jarlath P.Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Gustavus Vassa (GB) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen for one and a half miles until entering the straight.
The Stewards interviewed D.W. O'Connor, rider of Ted Veale concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.W. O'Connor was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and therefore cautioned him having taken his good recent record into consideration.
(AM & EM)
