Roscommon, Sunday 6 July 2026 — Evening Card Preview

Roscommon, Sunday 6 July 2026 — Evening Card Preview

Roscommon stages an eight-race evening card on good ground under cloudy skies, and with a clutch of maiden hurdles on the menu, there is plenty to pick through. The going should suit horses with a clean jumping style and a touch of class. John J Nallen (18% course strike rate, A/E 1.13) and Conor David Maxwell (A/E 1.63 at the track) are the trainers to side with when their runners have a legitimate angle, and Conor Stone-Walsh keeps a tidy book around here too. Three races stand out for value purposes.

5:13 — Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle (2m4½f)

Selection: Imarajan Each-Way — 6/1 (BoyleSports, LiveScore Bet)

With 15 runners and three places at 1/5 odds, this is a race built for each-way punters, and Imarajan is the one to be on at a workable price. Eoin Doyle’s five-year-old returned to his best at Kilbeggan last time, finishing a close runner-up beaten just three-quarters of a length in a maiden hurdle on ground he handles. That form reads well against this field. The addition of tongue-tie and cheekpieces suggests the yard has found a solution, and Paddy Cody takes the ride. He stays 2m4f comfortably and has the course stamina for this trip.

The market is pointed towards Frankie’s Freebie at 3/1, who has been consistent without winning, and he cannot be ignored. But at twice the price with a visor freshener, Imarajan offers the better return for the risk. Acheron at 12/1 (LiveScore Bet) shaped well at Downpatrick and could also place in a big field, but Imarajan is the each-way play.

5:48 — Shanagher Hearing Maiden Hurdle Div 1 (2m)

Selection: Luker’s Tipple — 3/1 (BoyleSports, Betfred, LiveScore Bet)

Gavin Cromwell’s yard has been quiet recently (1 from 35 in 14 days), but Luker’s Tipple carries the form credentials to win regardless. He is the top-rated horse in this division, acts on good and soft ground, and his third at Limerick last time out was a solid keeping-in-touch run. The 2m trip suits him well and Conor Stone-Walsh rides, a jockey who returns 17% at Roscommon with a positive A/E of 1.22. That combination of form, conditions, and jockey booking is hard to dismiss.

Firebrand is consistent but headgear-reliant and still looking for that elusive first win. At 9/2 in a race where Luker’s Tipple has a clear figures advantage, the 3/1 looks fair rather than generous, but it is the right side of the market.

6:18 — Shanagher Hearing Maiden Hurdle Div 2 (2m)

Selection: Minella Moon Shine — 7/4 (BoyleSports)

Trained by John J Nallen, who is the standout course trainer at Roscommon (18% wins, A/E 1.13), Minella Moon Shine is a fascinating prospect for his hurdling debut. He was travelling with real purpose when falling four out on his only point-to-point start at Dawstown, and that level of promise from a single outing has been enough to make him second favourite in the market. The drop to a 14-runner maiden hurdle over 2m on good ground is a sensible introduction, and Nallen won with his sole runner in the last 14 days, suggesting the yard is operating selectively but confidently.

Manoir De Bromhead at 5/2 has placed five times from his last five starts and knows the job, but he is beginning to look a horse that finds a reason not to win. Gordon Elliott’s 14-day figures (5 from 37) are not alarming but the A/E of 0.96 at this track suggests slight underperformance. Minella Moon Shine’s profile points to a horse with more upside, and at 7/4 with Nallen saddling, the case is strong.

Today’s NAP

Minella Moon Shine — Shanagher Hearing Maiden Hurdle Div 2 (6:18, Roscommon)
Odds: 7/4 — BoyleSports (others: 13/8 LiveScore Bet)

John J Nallen is the course’s most reliable trainer on A/E figures, and this is exactly the type of lightly raced, point-to-point-bred prospect he places well. Minella Moon Shine was travelling like the best horse in a point when departing four out on his only start, hurdling debut conditions on good ground suit, and his rivals in Division 2 are mostly exposed horses who have failed to win from multiple attempts. The 7/4 is a reasonable price for a horse with genuine untapped potential and a trainer who knows how to get them right first time.