Earls (near side) collars Dragon Of Malta © Photo Healy Racing
The RoscommonRacecourse.ie Handicap saw 9/4 favourite Earls follow up his course and distance victory of a fortnight ago from a 4lb higher mark.
The Dream Ahead gelding was driven along in fifth entering the straight but began to pick up well for Gary Carroll approaching the final furlong and collared Dragon Of Malta close home to score by a neck. Drombeg Duke was another two and a half lengths away in third.
The winner has raced without blinkers on his last two runs and winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said of the change in approach: “He's a different horse altogether, you can ride a race on him and he relaxes.
“When the gap opened he rallied well and just got there, it was ideal. He only won so hopefully the handicapper isn't too hard on him.
“The way he is relaxing now you'd think he'd get a mile. We'll look for something similar again.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
