Lethal Weapon holds on at Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
< Protestant confirmed the promise of his debut effort by picking up the prize for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction (C & G) Maiden at Roscommon.
Jessie Harrington's Leopardstown third was sent off the 11-10 favourite, even though last year's Beresford runner-up Orgilgo Bay was in opposition.
The latter took them along until Protestant headed him at the top of the straight and although newcomer The Plan Man threw down a challenge and probably even took the lead in the final furlong, the market leader stuck his neck out and got back up by a short head.
His jockey Fran Berry doubled up when Lethal Weapon (3-1 favourite) clung on in a desperate finish to the Connolly's Red Mills Horse Care Cubes Handicap.
The eight-year-old arrived on a losing run that stretched back to his Grade One hurdles success at the 2008 Leopardstown Christmas meeting, but he showed a good will to win as Captainofthefleet lunged, holding on by a neck.< Sho Girl showed the benefit of a previous outing when running away with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Patrick Prendergast's 5-2 favourite was only just over six lengths behind subsequent Group Three winner Just Pretending on her Navan introduction and relished the extra half-mile to cross the line with plenty in hand over Hidden Lite < Lady Giselle s pre-race withdrawal reduced the Roscommon Handicap to just the four runners and after seizing the initiative from long-time leader Janna's Jingle with a couple of furlongs to travel, Windsor Queen (3-1) showed her appreciation for the step up to a mile and a quarter, inlficting a two-length defeat on Frozen North
There was National Hunt action too, with Clar Na Mionn beating Abou Ben and Owega Star in the Connaughton Auctioneers Beginners Chase, while 16-1 chance De Glebe Star proved too strong in the Kepak INH Flat Race.
