Strandhill claims Roscommon opener

Punters at Roscommon were off to a good start when 5/4 favourite Strandhill took the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden in the hands of Chris Hayes.

Brian Nolan’s charge who was in front early was headed by Ultra Cool inside the final furlong.

The Footstepsinthesand filly rallied well under pressure to get back up and lead close and deny Ulta Cool by a head.

Winning trainer Nolan said afterwards: “She loves the soft ground, so we’ll wait for the soft ground now.”

“That’s my sixth winner for the owner in two and a half years so I’m delighted.”

“I think the visors might have just helped her, she was going on again when she got to the line.”

Connections had to survive a Steward’s Enquiry when the winner slightly hampered the fourth placed horse Cheeky Chilli inside the final furlong.