Although Kevin Prendergast is primarily a flat race trainer who has never had more than a couple of jumpers in training at any one time, he has enjoyed a good strike rate with them and at Roscommon this evening a hurdles win for Eagle Legal (5-0) could be the prelude to a stable double with Institutrice (6-30) in the Curraghboy Maiden.

At the end of July Perugino Diamond and Legal Eagle were both rated at 55 on the flat. In the interim Perugino Diamond has won twice and would have to give weight to his rival but the quality of Eagle Legal's first attempt over hurdles was such as to make it likely that he will master Perugino Diamond on this occasion at least.

The first three-year-old maiden hurdle was also run at Roscommon and it produced a far higher quality of field than today's event.

Institutrice, third to Sunspangled at the Galway Festival last year, was no match for Aspen Leaves at Gowran Park in the spring but has less in this way of opposition this evening.

The ex-French trained Aliwaiyn commenced his current campaign with a most promising fifth placing to Try For Ever in the Irish Derby programme at The Curragh. If he runs to that level top weight will be no problem in the Casey's Esso Handicap.