GAVIN Cromwell and Gary Carroll teamed up for a double at Roscommon on last Monday evening.

Earls bagged his second win since coming under the care of Cromwell when running out a narrow winner of the seven-furlong RoscommonRacecourse.ie Handicap.

The 9/4 favourite stayed on well to lead close home and record a neck victory under Carroll, in the colours of Martin Sheridan.

Taking the blinkers off the Dream Ahead gelding seems to have made a big difference, and Cromwell said: “He’s a different horse altogether, you can ride a race on him and he relaxes.

“When the gap opened he rallied well and just got there, it was ideal. He only won so hopefully the handicapper isn’t too hard on him.

“The way he is relaxing now you’d think he’d get a mile. We’ll look for something similar again.”

The pair completed their brace in the concluding mile-and-three-furlong contest when Theonewedreamof also swooped late to land the spoils.

Carroll’s mount was under pressure turning for home but answered every call in the straight and led inside the final furlong to record a length-and-a-half win over Joven De Corazon.

Cromwell said of the 7/2 winner, owned by the Golfcrest Syndicate: “She was off the bridle the whole way and Gary earned his riding fee.

“She stuck at it well, she’s still very green but she stayed well. Hopefully she can improve away as she’s still weak and raw.”

THERE was also a double on the card for Ben Coen and he first struck on the Johnny Murtagh-trained Free To Party in the Sigmar Recruitment Consultants Ltd Maiden.

The Free Eagle gelding made the running and rallied well when joined in the straight by Lizzy’s Filly to record a hard-fought head victory in the 10-furlong contest.

It was a fourth career start for the 9/4 favourite and he had been placed twice previously.

“That was great, I didn’t think it would take this long for him to win his maiden,” said Murtagh.

“He was probably a bit weak. He’s been knocking on the door, been very consistent, and he probably deserved to win.

“Hopefully now he’ll develop into a premier handicapper.

“He showed a good attitude and Ben said a mile and a quarter is good and he should get a mile and a half.”

Cosy winner

Coen completed his brace when the Peter Fahey-trained Disco Boots was a cosy winner of the Oran Handicap over the extended mile and three furlongs. The 15/2 shot kicked on two furlongs from home and soon had matters settled as she recorded a four-length win over Adonis.

“Ben was adamant she would stay and rode her positively,” said Fahey. “We had a frustrating year with her last year, waiting on ground.

“I genuinely think we could drop her back completely in trip on easier ground. We just chanced our arm and luckily the rain came today.

“If she comes out of this okay she might go to Galway for the listed fillies’ race and try and nick a bit of blacktype. It would be great for the owner, John Heffernan.”

GREENLAND justified his short price with an all-the-way victory in the opening median sires’ series race.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was taking a drop in class having been fourth in listed company on his last outing and went to post a 8/13 shot in the seven-furlong contest.

Wayne Lordan bounced out in front on his mount and the son of Saxon Warrior kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win over Ma Belle Artiste.

“It was very straightforward. He had a bit of a look in front but he quickened up smartly,” said Lordan.

“He’s a lovely colt and he’s a horse that is maturing all the time. I think he’s a horse for the future.”

Jim Bolger’s Dancila bagged his third win of the campaign with another game front-running performance in the Lecarrow Race.

Good tune

Kevin Manning got a good tune from the Teofilo gelding in the closing stages as he galloped on strongly to beat Magellan Strait by a length and three-quarters.

Travelling head lad Ger Flynn said afterwards: “He fought them off well there. Kevin said he settled in front and got a handy lead. He’s improving all the time and we’re very happy with him. He’s a grand, big, genuine, honest horse.”

Another front-runner to claim the spoils was the consistent Mullacash Buzz, who bagged his fourth victory for trainer Thomas Dowling.

Jack Cleary’s mount was keen early on in the seven-furlong Fuerty Handicap but found plenty when asked for an effort down the straight as the 9/2 shot recorded a length-and-a-half win over Soyounique.

“It’s nice to get a little birthday winner as well,” said Dowling. “He’s been unbelievable and is a super little servant. He can take a bit of a grip, we actually put the rubber bit back on him just to let him cart along a little bit as he enjoys that.

“It’s great for Martin and Maureen (Flinter) who are great owners.”