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Donal Murphy
San Salvador seals cross-card treble for O'Brien
San Salvador (left) and A Law Of Her Own fight out the finish
© Photo Healy Racing
San Salvador completed a cross-card treble for Joseph O'Brien, as he claimed the feature at Roscommon, the Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase.
Successful on his fifth try over fences at Listowel, the eight-year-old was available at 16/1 in early shows for this Grade 3 contest, eventually going off a 13/2 chance.
With Gaelic Arc setting a strong pace in front, JJ Slevin was content to settle the chestnut victor towards rear.
Much closer in fifth on the approach to three out, he quickened up smartly after the next and soon improved into a share of the lead.
Ridden away from the last, he soon got to the front and found plenty for pressure, coming home three and a quarter lengths to the good in the colours of the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate.
The only mare in the line-up, A Law Of Her Own (16/1) finished second and lost little in defeat under Danny Mullins, while Thecompanysergeant (5/2) was another seven and a half lengths away in third.
Returned the 9/4 favourite, Arctic Fly dropped to rear early on the final circuit and pulled up before three out.
"It was a good performance, he's improving away and is a decent horse," Slevin commented.
"They went a nice gallop, a good fast two miles, and riding him to land him there suits him.
"When the good ones come out we'll see where we end up."
O'Brien was earlier successful with State Of Joy and Little Lady Lucy at Down Royal.
STEWARDS REPORTS
P. Townend, rider of Arctic Fly, trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a noise, never travelled and pulled up.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Arctic Fly, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson