Review roscommon 7th Aug

< Top Man Michael looks a useful recruit to jumping after easing to victory in the Railway Bar 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon.

A winner on the Flat at Galway on Sunday, the Noel Meade-trained gelding was sent off the evens favourite after reports that he had been showing an aptitude for the game ahead of the first juvenile hurdle of the season.

Sent up to join the leaders at the third-last by Davy Condon, Top Man Michael still had Everything Zain for company at the last, but he was going much the best and forged clear to score by a length and three-quarters.

Meade and Condon were quickly back in the winner's enclosure when Johannisberger (100-30) powered away with the GAARoscommon.ie Maiden Hurdle.< Zadarska held the lead in the straight and looked a major danger, but Johannisberger joined issue at the final flight and had plenty in the locker, winning by six lengths.< Highdownhill was just making his presence felt when he was brought down at Tipperary last time and Niall Madden's charge made amends with a smooth victory in the JF Hanley Handicap Hurdle.

Slippers Madden took closer order on the final bend on the 7-1 shot and led at the last before driving him clear to beat favourite Moving On by three and a half lengths.

John Long's 100-30 chance Baresi made his fencing debut a winning one as he stayed on too strongly for His Highness in the Roscommon Herald Beginners Chase, winning by two lengths under Rob Jones.

There was a thrilling finish to the Sean Naughton Auctioneers Handicap Chase, with Gareth Malone driving the Arthur Moore-trained Back On The Road (10-1) for all he was worth to get up on the line and beat Under The Spell by a head.

First-time blinkers seemed to work for Western Promise (25-1), who led virtually all the way under Mark Enright in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Handicap Chase and held off Western Star to win by four lengths.