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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Roxboro Road provides connections with quick double

Sun 21st Apr 2019, 16:27

Roxboro Road (Mark Walsh) is clear at the lastRoxboro Road (Mark Walsh) is clear at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Roxboro Road completed a quick double on the afternoon for owner J P McManus and rider Mark Walsh at Fairyhouse when taking the YR Sauce Novice Handicap Hurdle in tremendous style.

The Oscar gelding was sent off the 6/1 co-favourite of three but turned what appeared a competitive 2m4f handicap into a procession in the closing stages.

Mark Walsh’s mount headed the front-running Embrun Mitja after the second last and asserted before the final flight.

A winner at Leopardstown last month, the Ted Walsh-trained six-year-old stretched right away on the run-in to beat Embrun Mitja by all of 13 lengths with Christopher Robin another two lengths away in third.

The placings of the second and third were later reversed following a stewards enquiry due to interference on the run-in.

Ted Walsh said, “He’s done it well and he found plenty with the blinds today. I thought he had his chance but I didn’t think he was as good as that.

“At home he hangs on to plenty so that’s why I stuck the blinkers on him. I had cheek pieces on him the last day. They obviously woke him up, he liked the good ground and everything fell into place.

“Hopefully he’ll improve and win a good race some day. He’ll go to Punchestown for the Martinstown Handicap Hurdle if he’s sound and well.” Galilean initiated the McManus/Walsh double in the opening maiden hurdle.

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.