Landofhopeandglory led home a one-two for leading owner JP McManus in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase at Roscommon on Monday.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Landofhopeandglory was one of the top juvenile hurdlers in Ireland last season, winning his first three starts before going on to finish fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and second in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown.

He was fourth on his chasing debut at Roscommon in June, but raised his game to get off the mark at Kilbeggan and was still in contention when falling two fences from the finish in a Grade 3 novice chase at the Galway Festival on his latest appearance.

Taking on just five rivals at Grade 3 level once more, the son of High Chaparral was the 2/1 favourite in the hands of Mark Walsh and while his jumping was not always fluent and his rider had to get to work at various stages of the extended two-mile contest, Landofhopeandglory responded after the final fence to see off Rock On Fruity by half a length.

Walsh said: "He was a little bit cautious early on after his fall the last day, but he's done it well. I was happy with him coming into the straight. I was probably in front a bit soon but when the second horse came to him, it pushed him on again.

"He's only a four-year-old and is still learning the jumping game."

Outsider Inis Meain was a close-up third, a long way clear of the only other finisher Alto Esqua.

Rosie Alice fell at the final obstacle and brought down the weakening Montana Belle, but both horses and both jockeys walked away from the incident.

Frank Berry, racing manager for McManus, said: "That was grand. The second horse probably threw it away at the second-last and the winner battled away.

"He had a hard old fall in Galway and Mark said he was a little bit cowardly early on, but he warmed up to it well and got the job done.

"He'll chip away at those novices for the winter and see how he gets on, he seems to handle the conditions quite well.

"It was a matter of getting today out of the way first and it was a lovely race for it, a grand prize. We'll see how he comes out of it and there will be similar events coming up around the country.

"He's flexible and I'd say going two and a half (miles) wouldn't be a problem to him. He keeps a bit for himself, but maybe that's not a bad thing."

FLAT SUCCESS

Owner J.P. McManus had another winner on the card when Jer's Girl made a sparkling return to action in the Budweiser Maiden.

Gavin Cromwell's mare is a dual Grade 1 winner over timber but didn't enjoy the best of campaigns last winter and had been off since falling in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

She was easy to back before being supported back down to 5/2 and after settling on the heels of the leaders, went with favourite Solo Saxophone when he took it up at the top of the straight.

Jer's Girl was travelling better, though, and as her stamina kicked in, she strode away, passing the post with five and a half lengths in hand.

DROP IN CLASS

Guessthebill showed his appreciation for having his sights lowered by landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race.

Last of five in the Anglesey Stakes before finishing fourth in a Tipperary listed event, Johnny Murtagh's colt was settled in mid-division by Denis Linehan, with market leader Sirjack Thomas controlling matters in front.

The market leader looked to have them all on the stretch but Guessthebill (3/1) was making steady headway and after getting his head in front half a furlong out, kept the rallying Sirjack Thomas at bay by half a length.

Murtagh said: "I picked out this race a while ago and thought it might be a bit easier than that, but when we turned up on the day there were three nice horses in it.

"The trip was a small question mark but Denis said he got it well and he relaxed well today.

"This is what he probably is and what he did earlier in the year was a bonus.

"We'll have a look at the Birdcatcher over six at Naas now. He's been there before, likes the track, and that would probably be it for the season then."

Keep Believing and Fair Game were split by the width of the track as they fought out the finish of the Follow Roscommon On Facebook Handicap, and it was the latter who flashed past the post in front.

Gavin Ryan brought the 11/2 chance to the stands side and got the verdict by two lengths.

The mixed card ended with a bumper which saw Nina Carberry continue her remarkable comeback with a third winner since last Thursday. She was aboard the 4/11 favourite Flawless Escape for trainer Gordon Elliott and they ran out comfortable winners.

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