TIMIYAN made a winning start to life with Gordon Elliott after fighting valiantly to deny Roachdale House in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon.

The ex-Dermot Weld inmate hit the front two out but was soon joined by Roachdale House, and the pair set down to battle it out to the line after jumping the last together. They flashed past the post almost as one but Timiyan (8/1), who was returning from a break of nearly eight months, got the verdict by a short-head.

Elliott also landed the novice hurdle with Dorans River.

Owner JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "He jumped well. I thought he was beat but he battled back well. He appreciates a bit of ease in the ground. He was a bit disappointing last year but is back in good form, and he'll tip away for the summer."

Dorans River continued on his upward curve with victory in the www.roscommonracecourse.ie Rated Novice Hurdle.

Apparently revitalised since switching to the Gordon Elliott team, the 11/4 chance challenged front-running favourite Robin Des Foret at the head of affairs before the last.

Stamina seems to be his forte and he ran right the way to the line in the hands of the in-form Davy Russell to score by three and a half lengths.

Russell said: "His jumping was good, and the ease in the ground and the step up to two and a half (miles) suited him."

IMPRESSIVE

Twobeelucky (9/2) has a bright future at the jumping game judging by his impressive performance in the Connaughton Auctioneer's 10th Anniversary Maiden Hurdle.

Having his first start for Henry de Bromhead, the ex-Mark Johnston inmate went into a clear lead with a circuit to travel and seemed to enjoy himself en route to a seven-length defeat of Super Bowl.

Jockey Andrew Lynch said: "Henry spotted this race a long time ago, and I think he'll improve. He was a fairly high-class horse on the Flat without winning, and hopefully that will do his confidence the power of good."

Lynch doubled up on the Matthew Smith-trained Bective Cave in the Roscommon Racecourse Handicap Hurdle. Burdened with a penalty for last week's Clonmel win, the 7/4 favourite was always to the fore and accounted for Shek O Lad by a couple of lengths.

Joseph O'Brien declared three for the Knockcroghery (Pro/Am) Flat Race and took it with the Jamie Codd-ridden newcomer Champagne Paddy (9/2).

LONGSHOTS

Oakly was carried out in a point-to-point on his only previous outing so it was no surprise that he was sent off at 33/1 for the Castlerea Maiden Hurdle.

Having hit the front travelling well, he lost the lead with an awkward leap three out but he was soon back on an even keel and stayed on strongly to defeat Brave Poppy by eight lengths.

Trainer Paul Fahey said: "I'm not surprised at all. We backed him in a point-to-point and he was carried out at the second. He's been a proper horse from day one. He was bought to replace Lots Of Memories, and is as nice a young horse as I've had around the place.

"I wanted my son Aaron to take out a licence and ride him in a bumper but he's concentrating on his leaving cert."

At the age of 11, King Blue (20/1) certainly isn't getting any younger but he remains favourably treated over timber compared to his chase figure and capitalised in the OCR Waste Management Handicap Hurdle for Ross O'Sullivan and Katie Walsh.

READ THE FULL ROSCOMMON REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD