Lethal Weapon ends five-year losing streak

Fran Berry delighted punters in Roscommon last night when, at his strongest, he completed a double on favourites Protestant and Lethal Weapon, the latter registering his first success since December 2008.

Third on his recent debut in a Leopardstown maiden and an uneasy favourite here, the Jessica Harrington-trained Protestant scraped home by a short-head from newcomer The Pan Man in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction Maiden. Protestant cruised past disappointing 101-rated Orgilgo Bay early in the straight before being tackled by the runner-up. A tremendous battle developed through the last two furlongs before Berry’s mount earned the spoils on the nod.

The winning rider commented: “He’s a big baby, still very green, but he should keep improving once the penny drops. He showed good heart and determination. He’s probably a bit deceptive because he carries his head a bit high, like a lot of the Papal Bulls.”