O'Sullivan takes his opportunity on Alhellal

Ross O'Sullivan took full advantage of the spare ride he picked up (in place of Robbie McNamara) as he partnered the Maurice Phelan trained Alhellal to take the bumper, the Ladies Day at Roscommon on July 4th Flat Race.

The winning son of Kalanisi was always prominent and moved into second over two furlongs out. He soon moved into the led and fended off the challenge of runner-up Ballyhoura (5/1) for Colm Murphy & Mikey Fogarty and stayed on best to score by a length and a half at the finish at the odds of 9/1. Galzig at 6/1 (who finished two places in front of the winner of her last start at Killarney) for Jessica Harrington and her daughter Kate finished a further two lengths back in third, while the 7/2 favourite Killultagh Prince for Katie Walsh and Willie Mullins was a further neck back in fourth.

Phelan who trains from Bert House Stud, Athy, Co Kildare was recording his first winner on the track in 732 days, his last winner being Ain Jalout who won a flat handicap at Fairyhouse on the 10th of June 2009.

His last winner in fact ran a nice race at Limerick yesterday evening, finishing a close sixth to Lake George.

Winning trainer Maurice Phelan said afterwards: "That's not before time. He done it well in the end. He had a good run at Ballinrobe (on his penultimate start), but he disappointed at Killarney on his last start, where he came back stiff and sore.

"He galloped on well to the line and he will probably go hurdling now as he jumps well."