Leigh Roche registered a first winner for trainer Noel Meade today, landing Dundalk's opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden on the Liam Queally owned and bred, 70-rated Shangrilama (16/1).

Having her sixth run, the daughter of Profitable disputed the lead and in the final furlong battled well to beat newcomers Den Of Iniquity and Bitacora

Meade said "she does stay so we thought we would hang on to her if he could and, if he (Roche) was comfortable, he'd stay up there. A mile would probably suit her even better.

"I thought she had a great chance because she's after maturing a lot and she has got a lot stronger, and she looks great. The unknown was the surface - she was never on it before, but she seemed to handle it well.”

It was Roche's 18th ride for Meade, who added “I'm delighted for Leigh, he has been riding a bit of work for me lately. Colin (Keane) asked me would I give him a chance, so I'm happy all round."

Quotes from Michael Graham