Review roscommon 17th Oct

Roscommon opt to save the most valuable race on the card until last, which sees He Rock's bid to defy a 9lb rise in the Follow Roscommon On Facebook Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old earned his hike in the ratings with an emphatic win at Galway last month, but may find the likes of Noel Meade's Tom Horn and John Ryan's returning Georges Conn very stiff opposition here.

Tom Horn is owned by JP McManus, who has three runners in the OCR Waste Management Handicap Hurdle, including top weight Irish Bulletin who struck at Limerick just eight days prior to this outing.

Listowel winner Another Rattler and Charles O'Brien's Russian Roulette make up the McManus squad, while Ryan has another last-time-out winner in Willow Grange though he runs from out of the handicap despite scoring by 15 lengths at Sligo.

Add in Willie Mullins' Dreambaby and a hugely competitive affair looks in store.

The meeting gets under way at 2.05 with the Knockcroghery Mares Maiden Hurdle, which sees Gordon Elliott's bumper winner Theatre Wine making her first foray over timber.

The Gigginstown-owned mare has fellow bumper winner Golden Flowerpower in opposition, while Joseph O'Brien's Rosshaven Lady has some decent hurdles form to call upon.

Elliott runs the classy bumper winner Death Duty in the Roscommon Maiden Hurdle, and the Listed winner in National Hunt Flat races has Ruby Walsh doing the steering on his first outing over timber.< Coeur Joyeux looks the pick of those with hurdling experience and could be the main danger, though Hold Your Nerve was not disgraced on his hurdling debut at Gowran last time.

Ryan has top weight Mic Milano in the Larry O'Farrelly Memorial Handicap Hurdle, where Bawnmore Lass and Think Of Me could be dangers, while the Elliott-trained Space Cadet takes on Call It Magic and Minella Scamp in the Roscommon On Course Vets Beginners Chase.