Magnum Force too strong at Roscommon

Magnum Force proved too good for his rivals in the feature race at Roscommon, the Pyramid Bookmakers Hurdle.

The well-backed 1-2 favourite Grey Soldier put in a big leap at the second-last to take the lead but Andrew McNamara was sat motionless on Colin McBratney's 12-1 chance.

McNamara gave him his office approaching the last and he scooted clear to record a one and three-quarter-length verdict.

A slight stumble after the last was not enough to stop Seamus Fahey's Echua (9-4) romping to victory in the roscommonracecourse at eircom.net Maiden Hurdle.

Roicead (5-1) showed the benefit of a recent run when showing plenty of determination to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.

Jessica Harrington's charge seemed a little ill at ease round the first bend but once he asserted from Green Art on the home turn, he kept on well.

Mutamaleq came with a strong late challenge but Fran Berry's mount had enough in the tank to repel that rival and score by a length.

The application of blinkers did the trick for Strandhill as she opened her account at the ninth time of asking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Chris Hayes was happy to cut out the running on the 5-4 favourite, but alarm bells must have been ringing when Ultra Cool got her head in front in the final furlong.

Strandhill battled back gamely, however, and got up to land the spoils by a head.

Favourite-backers will have had a tense time of it in the Ladies Day At Roscommon On July 5th Handicap as Gagnant got up in the dying strides.

Mrs Batt tried to see off all challengers from the front, but Blue Law got on top in the final furlong, only to find Declan McDonogh finishing fast on the 11-4 market leader, who scored by a short-head.