THE season's top apprentice, Eddie Ahern, hit the headlines with his first-ever treble at Laytown last Wednesday, and while he may not repeat those dramatics at Roscommon this evening, he does look to have a winning chance on Keeping The Faith in the Percy French Maiden, Although the powerful stables of Dermot Weld and Jim Bolger are represented in the 12 furlong contest. it doesn't look a particularly strong race and Keeping The Faith has shown enough in her last two runs in handicaps to suggest she can get off the mark.

The most recent of them was at the Curragh when running on well over 10 furlongs to finish fourth to Nordic Project, and before that Keeping The Faith had looked a winner at Naas, only to be caught close home by Rossmore Girl.

Tommy Carmody's horse looks to lack a little bit of finishing acceleration, so could be suited by this evening's step up in distance; and with her overall form, and the booking of the in-form Ahern, Keeping The Faith looks a solid bet.

The Weld and Bolger camps may not leave the track empty-handed, however. Ash Project was noted running on strongly in the closing stages of the handicap wont by Angellino at Leopardstown last Monday, and despite having to shoulder top-weight around the seven furlongs of the St Coman's Handicap, should go close.

Bolger and Kevin Manning will also be fancying their chances with Bold Tycoon in the Leacarrow Maiden. A good second to the highly-rated Mingling Glances at Cork on her only start this year, Bold Tycoon will have her backers but may find Alarme Belle too good. A win here will hardly compensate Michael Kinane for his disappointment on Entrepreneur on Saturday, but the Weld string have been coming back to form and Alarme Belle should appreciate the step up to seven furlongs enough to get the better of Bold Tycoon and Outflanker.

Paul Carberry has continued riding in great fond so far this summer and he can strike again in the opening Londis Maiden Hurdle with Noel Meade's Try For Ever.