Lightening strikes in Roscommon opener Lightening Pearl proved tough in front as she claimed the opening two-year-old maiden at Roscommon. Johnny Murtagh soon had his mount at the head of affairs but she was harried by Among Equals, with the pair coming close as the later tried for a gap on the rail on the far bend. After seeing off the attentions of that rival 13/8 favourite Catamount emerged as a big threat in the straight but couldn't find a way past Ger Lyons' charge, who kept on strongly for a two-length success. The winner was confirming the promise of her runner-up debut effort at Navan behind subsequent Group 3 winner Experience. "She's a lovely filly and the form of her first run has obviously worked out very well since," said Lyons. "You'd think you could come to Roscommon to find an easy maiden but there are no easy races anywhere now. "She had to do it the hard way and it was a rough enough race early on. She'd like a little bit of a dig although they have done a good job with the ground here. "We'll be looking now for some black-type." Murtagh was hit with a one-day ban for careless riding having been found guilty of causing Among Equals to check on the far bend.
