Zorion impresses on debut

The Jim Bolger trained newcomer Zorion justified odds-on favouritism, as he ran out an impressive winner of the opener at Roscommon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Available at 3/1 last night, that price didn't last long, and the Godolphin owned colt opened at 8/13 on-course before going off the clear favourite at 4/7.

Drawn on the wide outside in stall eleven, the son of Smart Strike tracked the leader for much of this seven furlong contest.

He was ridden to challenge with two furlongs to race, and he got to the front with over a furlong to go, keeping on strongly from there to score by six and a half lengths, with Kevin Manning in the plate. Joy For Mary finished second at 50/1 under Ronan Whelan for James Coyle, while 100/1 chance Quincy Street was another length and a half back in third, with Leigh Roche in the saddle for Brian Cawley.

Mack Attack who was the market leader at 11/8 last night, was earlier pulled out of the race, with 'coughing' the reason for his absence.

Ger Flynn, travelling head lad for Bolger, said afterwards: "He's a very nice horse and one we like a lot. He was babyish and showed a little sign of greenness. There is plenty of improvement in him, and he showed a really good turn of foot.

"We trained his brother Zip Top who was a good horse and was second to Camelot in the Racing Post Trophy."

STEWARDS REPORT

K.J. Leonard, rider of Sheisdiesel (GB) trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was unable to get a run at the two furlong pole.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee