Paul Nolan's Emir De Rots outbattled War God in the closing stages of the Knockcroghery Claiming Hurdle in Roscommon.

11/10 favourite War God was up in trip to an extended two and a half miles and held a narrow lead at the last from Emir De Rots.

The pursuer stepped at the flight which made his task more difficult, but he stuck to his guns on the run-in and battled home to get up be a head at 8/1. War God had to settle for second and was 14 lengths clear of Viking Hoard (9/1).

Jockey Jordan Gainford said: "Going back over hurdles maybe helped him and changed his mind a little bit.

“They went a nice even gallop, the ground is riding slow and it suited him.

“He was good and game from the back of the last, he made a little bit of a mistake at the last but got away quickly and put down his head.

“It'll do him good getting his head in front.”

Emir De Rots switched to the smaller obstacles from a spell handicap chasing. This was his first success on his 11th start under rules.

The Stewards enquired into an incident after jumping the last hurdle down the back involving War God, ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, placed second, Emir De Rots (FR), ridden by J.C. Gainford, placed first, Stylish Moment ridden by P.T. Enright, placed sixth and Viking Hoard, ridden by Mr P. Byrnes, placed third, where it appeared interference had occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D.J. O'Keeffe, stated that his mount jumped the hurdle very big and he moved to his left in order to avoid clipping heels. J. C. Gainford, stated that his mount was in front, jumped straight and that he was clear of the incident. Mr. P. Byrnes, stated that he was following the winner, jumped straight and received interference from the inside after landing. P.T. Enright, stated that he suffered interference from his inside, but felt it was of little consequence. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D.J. O'Keeffe was in breach of Rule 214(careless riding) and having considered his record, they suspended him for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson