Timiyan and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
After his win in race two with Dorans River Gordon Elliott doubled his Roscommon score in the featured Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap Hurdle courtesy of stable debutant Timiyan
Again the camera angle at the finish caused difficulty for many observers as the general view was that Roachdale House was 'up.' However the print showed that the Mark Walsh-ridden Timiyan (8/1, first time tongue strap on) had held on by a short head.
Paul Townend had to switch around to get a run on Roachdale House so Paul Flynn's charge has to go down as an unlucky loser.
Meanwhile Hareth the well-backed favourite, had yet to be asked for everything and was still in touch when falling at the second last.
Another for money, Hunters Call (11/2 from 7/1 on track and backed in from bigger earlier) could manage no better than fourth. He was slightly hampered three out.
Timiyan joined Elliott from Dermot Weld with the Master of Rosewell House focussing on his Flat horses.
Winning owner J P McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "He jumped well. I thought he was beat but he battled back well.
"He appreciates a bit of ease in the ground. He was a bit disappointing last year but is back in good form, and he'll tip away for the summer."
McManus himself was in attendance at Roscommon for his first time in about 16 years.
(AM & EM)
