McConnell on the mark at Roscommon in Meath dominated card

Meath trainer John McConnell had his first winner since racing resumed earlier this month when Ally Cay won under Shane Foley today at Roscommon on a card that had a real Royal County flavour.

Running for the first time for McConnell, Ally Cay landed a handicap at the Connacht track.

Outsider Ally Cay and the Gary Carroll-partnered Overheer (joint-favourite) tussled for the lead in the home straight.

Ally Cay surged clear in the final 150 yards to win by two and three quarter lengths with the other joint-favourite, Loudest Whisper, trained by Edward Delany at Laytown in third.

Ally Cay won at Bellewstown last year, but had some disappointing form since then and a new owner sent the filly to McConnell at the end of April.

“I’m delighted for the owner who gave her to me to have a go with, I’ve had her about eight or 10 weeks," stated the trainer in a post-race interview with irishracing.com.

“It probably wasn’t the greatest of races, but a win is a win, she can jump hurdles as well," he added.

Dunboyne trainer Jack Davison was on the mark with newcomer No Stopping Her in a two-year-old maiden in which Noel Meade's Helvic Princess was third.

Ger Lyons was in double form with Colin Keane winning on 4/5 favourite Frank Arthur which improved on a runner-up finish at Gowran last week.

The other Lyons winner was second reserve Jan Wellens which got into that race and was partnered by Ronan Whelan.

Declan McDonogh was also on the mark when the Gordon Elliott-trained dual bumper winner Bigbadandbeautiful won the concluding Athleague Maiden.

Trainer Johnny Muratgh maintained his winning form when Wilderness edged out the Michael Mulvany-trained New Vocation.