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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Roche and McManus at double with Birdsandthebees

Thu 24th Oct 2024, 18:25

Birdsandthebees, near side, puts in a good jump at the lastBirdsandthebees, near side, puts in a good jump at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Birdandthebees brought up a Clonmel double for trainer Padraig Roche and owner JP McManus when winning the concluding handicap chase by a length and a-half.

The seven-year-old mare tacked on to the main group after two out and moved ominously well on the outer, in the home straight, for Peter Smithers.

She held a narrow advantage up and over the last and a lovely jump enabled her to land in stride. The 18/5 favourite forged on to beat Bite That (8/1). Crowsatedappletart was more than four lengths away in third at 4/1.

Roche said: "It was a great day and I'm delighted for Peter, who gave her a great ride and is with me full-time. He works very hard and is a very good rider who is only getting going.

"She had been frustrating as we thought she'd have won something by now but, for only her second chase run, she seems to love jumping.

"Hopefully, it might now ignite a spark and it is great to get the winning bracket as she is homebred by Noreen (McManus).

"We have a small number for the winter, but have a few nice horses and team are in good form, so hopefully it will continue."

Roche and McManus also won race four with Win Some Lose Some

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.