Ata Rangi makes the best way home© Photo Healy Racing
Ata Rangi (9/4) and Billy Lee were always holding Thequietman in the closing stages of the Roscommon Racecourse (C&G) Maiden.
Lee's mount led narrowly approaching the home straight from Benji Bee and began to crank up the pressure a quarter of a mile from home.
Thequiteman (6/5f) and Dylan Browne McMonagle improved into second at the furlong pole and tried to reel in the leader, but they were a length and a-quarter in arrears at the line.
The winner scored for Henry de Bromhead and owner Ben Halsall.
Lee said: “He's been consistent in his races and on the best of his form he was entitled to do that.
“He hit the gates and carried me to the front, I didn't take a pull out of him and let him at it.
“He handled the track well and didn't mind the ground, he's the sort of horse that goes on any ground.
“He kept going well, when I asked him to pick up and put the race to bed he did that.
“I thought it was a nice performance and hopefully he'll build on that.
“He looked like he was going to threaten a furlong out here last time, but I'd say he just had a blow.
“Coming here I knew he'd stay well so, when he hit the gates well, I was keen just to let him use his stride and he stayed going well.”
Ata Rangi struck at the sixth time of asking.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
