RACING: Jamie Spencer recorded his 71st winner of the season at Roscommon yesterday and moved 19 clear of nearest rival Pat Smullen in the jockeys' title race. However, his win on Pat Fahy's Native Stag in the mile-and-a-half maiden came at a cost when picking up a two-day suspension for careless riding.
The gelding drifted right inside the final furlong causing interference to Michael Kinane on runner-up Cantari. Although the manoeuvre did not affect the placings, Spencer was suspended for two days (September 22nd and 23rd).
Eccentric trainer Oliver Brady has been getting plenty of practice with his post-race "sermons" recently and cheers of "Brady's my name and racing's my game" were heard in the winner's enclosure after his Prince Of Tara won the beginners' chase. Victory for the well-backed favourite, however, did not look likely at the final fence, although he battled well on the flat to defy Lincam.
Prince Of Tara's jockey, Barry Geraghty, later completed a double when winning on Joe Crowley's Carrigavantry in the handicap hurdle.
Val O'Brien's Logical Star won the most valuable event on the card, the €17,000 handicap chase, under the ever-reliable Larry Hurley. Afterwards, O'Brien said: "I was a little surprised because I didn't think he'd handle the ground. He'll now go for a similar race at Listowel or else to Punchestown on Sunday week."
The opening two-year-old maiden was won by newcomer Adaala under Declan McDonogh. Kevin Prendergast's filly was ridden to lead a furlong and a half out and stayed on well for a length and a half win over All Woman.
Trainer Adrian McGuinness was pleasantly surprised by the win of his Victram in the 10-furlong handicap. Ridden by promising 7lb claimer Christy Geoghegan, Victram stayed on well to head front-running Norborne Bandit inside the final furlong to score by three lengths from the staying-on Penny Rich.
Orange Touch has been supplemented for Saturday's Irish St Leger at the Curragh by Amanda Perrett after his impressive success in the March Stakes last month.
Frankie Dettori closed to within a single winner of Kieren Fallon (148) in the race for the British jockeys' championship yesterday with a 24 to 1 double at Redcar on Connotation and Inchpast.
