Leavethelighton, right© Photo Healy Racing
Joint top-weight Leavethelighton bids to get a deserved big-race win to his name as he lines up in the feature at Roscommon this evening, the thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase.
The Eoin Doyle-trained gelding was a close-up fourth in a Grade B contest at Leopardstown in February before finishing third on his next start in the Killarney National.
He was a length and three-parts second to Rohan's Pride on his latest outing in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe and few would begrudge him a win here with Adam O'Neill taking a valuable 7lb off.
Listed winner Seefood was just half a length behind Leavethelighton at Ballinrobe and is sure to have plenty of supporters. Dushrembrandt who is a half-brother to Sir Rembrandt, looks nicely treated off a mark of 125, while Abolitionist and Speckled Wood are other leading contenders.
Prince Rudi and Aranhill Chief were third and fourth in this contest last year and should be able to make their presence felt. Rock The World and The Game Changer were impressive when winning on their first try over fences and look the two to focus on in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Chase.
Ronava also won last time out and should give a good account of himself, while Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh team up with Upazo who also warrants consideration.
The concluding Ladies Day At Roscommon On July 6th Beginners Chase looks an open affair with Celestial Prospect Railway Zira and Speed Demon likely to feature prominently in the betting.
The first of five Flat races on the card is the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden and Galway Bay will prove hard to beat here after finishing second in a Listed contest on his last outing.
Father Christmas looks the one to side with in Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, while the hat-trick-seeking Breenainthemycra can take the Roscommon Handicap with Pat Smullen in the saddle.
