Gangster thumps Roscommon rivals

With two Auteuil efforts to his name in the spring of last year, the now Gigginstown House Stud-owned Gangster was sent off the uneasy 6/4 favourite (from 6/5) for the Harry Farrell Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon. The half-brother to 2010 Ascot Gold Cup hero, Rite Of Passage, shrugged aside any perceived lack of confidence with an authoritative win.

Bryan Cooper 's mount did everything right, and he impressively floated up the straight, and indeed over the closing few hurdles, to dismiss Cecil Corbett by four lengths.

The gamble of the race, Rock On Fruity (J P McManus and Charles Byrnes), backed into 3/1 from around tens earlier in the day, had to make do with third place, three and a half lengths further back.

"His work at home is very good. We think he is probably a good quality winter horse but he had a couple of niggly problems which is why he is running now," divulged winning trainer Willie Mullins' son Patrick.

"Obviously he's very well bred, being a half-brother to Rite Of Passage.

"I don't know what the plan is with him now. He might keep going or he might come back in the winter. He is one of the higher quality summer horses around the stable at the minute."

(DM & EM)