Siberian Gale is still firmly on course for the Galway Plate after completing his hat-trick over fences with a stylish front-running display in the Roscommon Chase last night.
Tom Treacy's mount jumped superbly throughout and had his nine rivals well strung out after halfway. The Strong Gale gelding maintained his decisive advantage in the straight to beat Shaihar by six lengths.
"I would like to give him some experience in handicap company before the Plate," said Paddy Mullins, who confirmed that fast ground "is a help" to the seven-year-old. Fran Berry and Irene Oakes successfully teamed up with Lady Belzoni in the Lecarrow Maiden. The filly finished a neck behind Rivana on her debut at Gowran but reversed placings here when striking the front over a furlong out to beat the favourite by 1 1/2 lengths.
Berry, John Murtagh and Wayne Smith - riders of the first three home - were all advised to be more careful in the interests of safety after an incident over a furlong out where Pat Smullen's mount Prince Valiant was hampered.
Berry later doubled up in the Percy French Maiden where Piranesi touched off Trebizond. The runner-up's rider, John Murtagh, got a one-day suspension (June 24th) for using his whip with excessive frequency.
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