Waaheb too strong for rivals

The Dermot Weld-trained Waaheb made a successful switch back to the smaller obstacles when running out a convincing winner of the Oran Hurdle at Roscommon.

Mark Walsh sent the 7/2 shot into the lead turning for home and he galloped on strongly in the closing stages to record a three-and-three-quarter length win.

6/4 favourite Perfect Gentleman chased him home in the three-mile contest.

The JP McManus-owned winner had run twice over fences at Galway, unseating the first day before finishing third a couple of days later.

"The conditions of the race suited him and it was nice to find a hurdle like that for him," said racing manager Frank Berry afterwards.

"The bit of yielding ground was lovely for him and he jumped well. Dermot was pretty confident he'd get the trip.

"He'll go back over fences somewhere now. He was a bit caution over them the first day and it caught him out but he was better as he went along the last time."