What a Top Man Michael is

The first juvenile hurdle race of the season saw a facile victory for Noel Meade’s even money favourite Top Man Michael at Roscommon over two miles.

The three-year-old hacked up in a Galway flat handicap two days ago when well fancied by his trainer, and he was none the worse for wear in running out a cosy length and three quarter winner under Davy Condon.

Condon was content to race in fourth, but closed on the leaders three out, hit the front two out and a shake of the reins after the last was enough to see off the gambled on Everything Zain (4/1 to 11/4) and Bryan Cooper. Condon could afford a glance across at his rival as he coasted past. Dragon Khan came in third at 10/1 for Christy Roche and Alan Crowe eight lengths further back. This one was a market drifter from 4/1 in the morning.

“He nodded a bit at the second last but he jumped well and stays well,” Noel Meade said.

“He’s not too bad even though he was tiring a bit at the finish.

“He had to come here for this race as it was either here or Tramore as there wasn’t a race for him for a while after that.

“He’ll probably get a break now and will probably run next over hurdles at Listowel.

“He’ll probably go back to the flat but I’m not sure when.”

The winner took Davy Condon off the cold jockeys list with his first winner in 49 rides.

(on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)