Rosso toughs it out well for McDonogh

Rosso s ability got him through the attritional ground in the extended 1m4f maiden at Roscommon.

He was backed down to 8/11 favourite to account for his 12 rivals and did it in good style for Joseph O'Brien and Declan McDonogh.

The Camelot colt was in front over a quarter of a mile from home, but kept grinding it out. Saol Gealach (40/1) attempted to make a race of it, but gave best in the final furlong to go down by two and three-quarter lengths. There was another gap of four and a-half lengths back to Rosso's stablemate Il Sovrano (25/1).

McDonogh said: “He's a nice big horse and I don't think he likes the ground as holding as it is.

“He's progressive and could go forward again, we'll see what the handicapper does.

“I like him, he has a good attitude and relaxed very well. Wayne (Lordan on Psalm stopped dead and left me there an hour too soon, but he stayed going well.

“I thought Wayne would lead me down to the furlong pole but, when the run produced itself, I had to take it.”

When asked if he could be a nice staying type he added: “I think so, if he strengthens up a bit.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson