Royal Roslea holds off the late surge of Rolanna (nearest)© Photo Healy Racing
Royal Roslea sprang a 16/1 surprise in the concluding Lougher Stable Handicap at Bellewstown, scoring under Oisin Orr for trainer Matthew Smith.
Previously trained in the UK by Marcus Tregoning, and successful at Bath in August, the daughter of Royal Applause was sold for just 2,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October.
Seventh of eleven on her debut for Smith at Dundalk in March, the bay four-year-old was settled in mid-division this evening.
She took closer order on the outer with over two furlongs to race, and was soon ridden to challenge. She got to the front inside the final furlong, and kept on well to hold off the late surge of Rolanna by a head.
The runner-up was returned at 14/1 under Robbie Dolan for Willie Martin, while 33/1 chance Papal Parade (first time cheekpieces) was a further three parts of a length back in third under Wayne Lordan for Eamonn O'Connell. Camlann was sent off the 3/1 favourite but he ran no sort of race, and faded tamely in the straight, eventually finishing fifteen under Rory Cleary for John 'Shark' Hanlon.
Matthew Smith said afterwards: "It's always nice to have a winner at your local track.
"She's in at the Curragh on Sunday. We'll see how she comes out of this and she might run."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
