Trainer Noel Meade recorded a double at Roscommon today, winning the featured Grade 3 Kilbegnet EBF Novice Chase with Ballyagran while introducing promising newcomer Attercliffe, to win the Sliabh Bawn Racing Club Maiden.
Ballyagran, under Paul Carberry, completed the double and despite an untidy jump at the final fence, proved seven lengths to strong for Some Timbering.
Meade later reported 'I'm very pleased to win with him because he lost the plot over hurdles last season but seems to have taken well to fences.'
He added 'we'll carry on in novice chases with him but I have no immediate race in mind for him.'
Meade's 16/1 newcomer Attercliffe, under Grand National winning rider Niall Madden, proved too strong for Aidan O'Brien's October Sky, under Epsom Derby winning jockey Kieren Fallon, in the 1m2f maiden.
Meade later revealed 'Attercliffe is my best three year old by a long way, and that includes 106 rated Rockall Blizzard.'
He added 'I was a little concerned about the track because he is a very big and awkward horse but his dam is a half sister to French Derby winner Darsi and we will aim for another Flat race again shortly.'
Goresbridge based Michael Fitzgerald recorded his sixth training success, and his third at Roscommon (from five runners), when his Star Wood landed the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, under Shane Gorey.
Afterwards Fitzgerald reported 'Star Wood has a nice pedigree and received a good ride from Shane. I have no immediate plans for her now.'
Dessie Hughes' Akhtari made most of the running for a game win in the Keenan Bookmakers Handicap Chase, a second winner of the season for jockey Conor O'Dwyer.
Hughes later reported 'Akhtari likes that ground but wouldn't want it any softer. Once he stays three miles, which he seems to do, there are plenty of races for him during the winter.'
Jessica Harrington's Hide The Evidence ran out the impressive winner of the Boyle Novice Hurdle, defeating Bobs Pride by a length and three quarters.
Harrington later commented 'we originally thought he wanted good ground but he seemed to handle the soft surface well there and we'll look for another novice hurdle next.'
Kevin Prendergast's Yario unfortunately has 'seconditis' in the blood but did manage to win the Lecarrow Maiden on his fourth start, under Declan McDonogh.
Yario had previously finished second twice but his luckless dam Yara, failed in 16 attempts, finishing second 10 times (once at Group 1 level) and although she passed the post in front once, subsequently lost that race on technical grounds.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden went to Jim Bolger's Anna's Rock, under Kevin Manning, who won on her fifth racecourse run.
The daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar raced prominently throughout, improved to challenge two furlongs out, before getting to the front and eventually winning by a comfortable four and a half lengths from Common Charisma.
Thomas Weekes.
