Alto Sax made the breakthrough in the opening claiming maiden on Roscommon's card.

Ger Lyons' Saxon Warrior gelding took closer order in third a furlong and a-half from home and was ridden by Gary Carroll to get the measure of Royalcorrespondent inside the final furlong.

Alto Sax soon went for home, but edged right causing Royalcorrespondent to swerve in second. The leader weas driven home by a length and three-parts at 13/2 from nicely-backed Zenato who put in late work for second at 4/1. Royalcorrespondent (11/4f) dropped three-parts of a length further back to third.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “It's not before time. He wants that ground or better, he hops off it.

"He ran in Gowran Park the last day and it was the worst ground I've ever walked on. He actually went to win his race and stumbled on the ground because it was that bad.

“It's from one extreme to the other today. He got his ground and went and did it.

"If he's claimed, anyone who claims him will have a lot of fun with him in those races.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson