Gripping stuff in opener

DERMOT WELD and Pat Smullen, who combined to win three races at Leopardstown on Saturday night, can team up again to take the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Maiden with Gripping at Roscommon this evening.

The daughter of Green Desert has filled third place in all her races so far, the latest coming at Tipperary last month.

She was beaten by Always A Star and Shinko Dancer and the form is ordinary, considering the latter could only manage second again behind Bye By Ben at Bellewstown five days ago.