Our Conor takes opener as Leyland disappoints

The opening race at Roscommon this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over seven furlongs, went to the Dessie Hughes trained, Gary Carroll ridden Our Conor

The 3yo son of Jeremy made his debut at the Curragh last month where he finished ninth of eighteen behind Blue Corner on good ground.

Having his second start today and his first on soft ground, the bay gelding came with his challenge inside the final furlong and just got up close home to deny the front running Consonance for Joe Murphy and Shane Foley.

The winner was returned at 13/2 for the Man About Town Syndicate while the runner-up, Consonance, was returned at 3/1 having being well supported from his morning price of 7/1 and his opening show on course of 9/2. The Ring Is King was a further two lengths back in third at 10/1 for Paul Flynn and Fran Berry while the 6/4 favourite Leyland (drifted from morning price of 8/11 and opening show on course of 5/4) finished a disappointing fourth for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen.

Winning trainer Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "It was a weak maiden. He had run well in a good Curragh maiden first time out.

"He will probably win a handicap and the handicapper shouldn’t be too hard on him for his win today. He will probably be better going further.

"He was bought to be a dual purpose horse as a yearling at Goffs and he will definitely make a hurdler in time."

Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes