Roscommon report: Trainer Noel Meade recorded a double at Roscommon yesterday, winning the featured Grade Three Kilbegnet EBF Novice Chase with Ballyagran and introducing promising newcomer Attercliffe to win the Sliabh Bawn Racing Club Maiden.
Ballyagran, under Paul Carberry, completed the double, and despite an untidy jump at the final fence proved seven lengths too strong for Some Timbering.
"I'm very pleased to win with him because he lost the plot over hurdles last season but seems to have taken well to fences," said Meade.
Meade's 16 to 1 newcomer, Attercliffe, under Grand National-winning rider Niall Madden, proved too strong for Aidan O'Brien's October Sky, with Kieren Fallon on board, in the 1m 2f maiden.
"Attercliffe is my best three-year-old by a long way, and that includes 106-rated Rockall Blizzard," said Meade. "I was a little concerned about the track because he is a very big and awkward horse, but his dam is a half-sister to French Derby winner Darsi and we will aim for another Flat race again shortly."
Goresbridge-based Michael Fitzgerald recorded his sixth training success, and his third at Roscommon (from five runners), when his Star Wood landed the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap under Shane Gorey.
Dessie Hughes' Akhtari made most of the running for a game win in the Keenan Bookmakers Handicap Chase, a second winner of the season for jockey Conor O'Dwyer.
"Akhtari likes that ground but wouldn't want it any softer," Hughes said. "Once he stays three miles, which he seems to do, there are plenty of races for him during the winter."
Jessica Harrington's Hide The Evidence ran out the impressive winner of the Boyle Novice Hurdle, defeating Bobs Pride by a length and three-quarters.
Kevin Prendergast's Yario unfortunately has "seconditis" in the blood, but did manage to win the Lecarrow Maiden on his fourth start.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden went to Jim Bolger's Anna's Rock and Kevin Manning, who won on her fifth racecourse run.
The daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar raced prominently throughout, improved to challenge two furlongs out, before getting to the front and winning by a comfortable four and a half lengths from Common Charisma.
