The Michael Grassick-trained Happy Talk had little difficulty in justifying 6/4 favouritism in the opening Sean Naughton Auctioneers Maiden at Roscommon yesterday and a handicap will now feature on the Hamas-sired filly's agenda.
John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh are experiencing a fine run at present and the pair combined to capture the European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap with Queen's colours. Homebred by her owner Sheikh Mohammed, Queen's Colours stayed with powerful effect to triumph by four and a half lengths from Lady Marian.
Catherine Gannon partnered her first winner for Jim Gorman when Nero's Dancer came from the rear of the field to beat Ebika by one and a half lengths in the first part of the Budweiser Handicap. This was actually Nero's Dancer's second career victory and the forthcoming Tralee festival now beckons.
Dave Condon partnered his sixteenth winner of the season and his first around this course when Tom McCourt's Fluttery Dancer powered clear from the quarter mile marker to deny Royal Suzy in the second division of the Budweiser Handicap.
Charlie Swan was on the mark when he produced Anno Jubilo, whom he also trains, with impeccable timing to deny Royal Destiny by the minimum margin in the Athleague Novice Hurdle and Tralee could be the victorious German-bred's next port-of-call.
Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh captured the Peter Casey & Sons Handicap Hurdle with top-weight Splendour and 'Bunny' Cox's charge could now run at Galway next month.
The Philip Rothwell--trained Fairwood Present supplemented his recent Sligo success by landing the closing bumper event.
