Gentry tops in Roscommon opener

The money early in the day was for Battle Hymn in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Median Auction Maiden at Roscommon. He ended up sharing favouritism at 2/1 with Gentry and it was that John Oxx-trained runner that took the honours under Declan McDonogh.

Whilst Battle Hymn couldn't raise his game from over a furlong out, Gentry was only really hitting top gear down the centre at that stage.

In the end the successful Nayef colt was all out to hold on from outsider Benny Blanco by a short head.

They left third market choice Mansuri four and a quarter lengths back in the bronze medal position whilst the aforementioned Battle Hymn was half a length behind in fourth.

Jimmy 'Slim' O'Neill, representing Oxx, said: "I was a bit worried about the ground. It was very heavy the last day in Gowran.

"Declan said he raced out wide for the better ground here.

"It's nice to win with him and we'll see what kind of handicap mark he gets now.

"He'll be stepped up in trip and I doubt he'll run on that ground again." (DM & EM)