RACING/ROSCOMMON:IT'S A long way from Toronto to Roscommon, where there will be a precautionary track inspection at Roscommon at 8am today, but Pat Smullen plans to get back from Canada in time to resume his pursuit of Joseph O'Brien in the jockeys' champions this afternoon.

Smullen is chalked up for four rides and conditions will be different to Woodbine last night where he was due to team up with Princess Highway in a Grade One.

The going was heavy yesterday with a wet forecast so it could pay to side with Pearl Of Africa rather than the Smullen-ridden Highest Praise in the opening juvenile maiden. Pearl Of Africa found only the colt Eye Of The Storm too good for her at Galway on heavy ground last month and that ability to go on the conditions could be crucial.

Joseph O’Brien is on the Giants Causeway newcomer Just Pretending in that and is also on the Ballydoyle hope Exact in the 10 furlong maiden. Exact sets a 70 standard here after running second at Navan five days ago but there could be value to be had with The Alarm Clock who didn’t run too badly behind Three Kingdoms at Galway last time. Ruby Walsh is on Miriam’s Dream, who has a first start in almost 10 months in the maiden hurdle and Minella Reception’s fitness from bumpers can make the difference.

First Lieutenant is likely to start next in the Grade One JN Wine Champion Chase at Down Royal at the start of next month. The Michael O’Leary-owned star could finish only fourth to Sizing Europe on his seasonal reappearance at Gowran but trainer Mouse Morris said yesterday: “He’s come out of the race fine and I think he’ll come on a ton. He was very rusty on the day but he should improve a lot.”

Morris’s other Grade One chaser China Rock faces a spell on the sidelines due to lameness.