Vasoni leads Knights Templar as they approach the line© Photo Healy Racing
Stamina was the name of the game at Roscommon on Monday and there was a winner apiece for Joseph O'Brien and Pat Smullen as the former remained five clear in the Flat Jockeys' Championship.
Smullen, last year's runner-up, could be spotted travelling menacingly aboard 9-2 second-favourite Vasoni in the 5 Admission Handicap and he stayed on best to outgun Lady Lyrath by a length and a quarter.
O'Brien's Exact was hot favourite for the Oran Maiden but he had to settle for minor honours when Coilogshakeysirgin (33-1) scored by a cosy length on his Flat race debut.
He wasn't forced to wait long, however, as last year's champion apprentice was off the mark just half an hour later when giving Dusty Trail (6-1) a peach to land the Knockcroghery Handicap.
The eight-time winner had recently threatened off the same mark at Dundalk and rewarded his supporters under an all-out O'Brien drive down the centre of the straight, coming out half a length to the good over Confident Cub
Action got under way with the roscommonracecourse.ie Fillies Maiden and Coolibah (16-1) left a moderate Curragh debut firmly behind, clearly thriving in the testing conditions.
Charles O'Brien's charge benefitted from a patient Declan McDonogh ride and bolted up by five and a half lengths after being asked for his effort around a furlong out.
The Athleague Maiden Hurdle marked the first of three jumps races on the card and punters were treated to a ding-dong finish between old rivals Davy Russell and Ruby Walsh.
The latter came out of the photo finish a head in front, with the Tony Martin-trained Miriam's Dream successfully returning from a 267-day absence.
The Roscommon Racecourse Thanks You For Your Support In 2012 Handicap Hurdle went to Ballygill Gale under Barry Geraghty, while Gordon Elliott's Bonisland (7-2) won the Roscommon Racecourse Looks Forward To Seeing You Again in 2013 Flat Race.
