Leavethelighton, right© Photo Healy Racing
< Aranhill Chief showed excellent resolution to come out on top in the thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase at Roscommon.
Racing in second for much of the way, the 16-1 chance seized the initiative when the frontrunning Bishops Road blundered three out, and put a bit more daylight between himself and the chasing pack when Prince Rudi made a mistake at the next.
The gambled-on Abolitionist went in pursuit, but Aranhill Chief wasn't for passing and scored by a length.< The Game Changer continued his fencing education in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Chase.
Gordon Elliott's useful hurdler made a sparkling start to his new career at Punchestown last month but the burden of favouritism here was saddled with Rock The World who led.
The Game Changer (6-4) was always in close attendance, though, and after he took up the running three out, he had three-quarters of a length in hand of Rock The World at the line.< Galway Bay was a warm order for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden after finishing second in Listed company last week, but could only manage third.
The odds-on favourite made hard work of taking the lead off Greyscape and wasn't able to repel the challenge of newcomer Henshaw (16-1), who just held the late thrust of Escondida by a head.
Early in the straight in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, it looked like another hotpot would be turned over, with Father Christmas firmly under the pump.
But the 9-10 market leader eventually wore down Dawn Mirage and the one-length winner will know more of what is required of him next time.< Knights Templar ended a two-year drought in the Ballaghaderreen Handicap (Div 1), while the second division went the way of 13-2 shot Lady Ranger < Breenainthemycra (6-1) is improving at a rate of knots and still has more to offer, judging by the decisive manner in which he landed the hat-trick in the Roscommon Handicap.
