Coolibah surprises in Roscommon opener

The Charles O'Brien trained Coolibah sprang a 16/1 surprise in the opening roscommonracecourse.ie 2yo fillies maiden under Declan McDonogh.

The once raced daughter of Peintre Celebre was waited with in the early stages but made progress and was switched to challenge from two furlongs out.

She hit the front a furlong from home and stayed on well to soon draw clear and score comfortably by five and a half lengths from the Kevin Prendergast Coquette Noire in second at 9/2 under Chris Hayes.

The John Joe Walsh trained 20/1 shot Lady Giselle ran well to finish a head back in third while Pearl Of Africa who was sent off the 5/2 favourite for Eddie Lynam and Emmet McNamara was a further short head back in fourth after attempting to make all.

The Aidan O’Brien trained newcomer Just Pretending opened at 9/4 with Paddy Powers this morning but opened at 5/1 on-course before being backed into 7/2 at the off.

The daughter of Giant’s Causeway never looked like winning under Joseph O’Brien (a pound overweight) and trailed in seventh of the eight that took part in the seven furlong contest.

The winner made her debut at the Curragh last month in the race won by Tarana where she finished twelfth of thirteen and was always towards the rear.

Winning rider Declan McDonogh said afterwards: "Charles (O'Brien) is at the sales in Newmarket today.

"She is a lovely big filly and seemed to handle the ground well. Hopefully she can go on next year."

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)