Bob at a big price again at Downpatrick

A chase winner at Downpatrick last October at odds of 33/1, Better Back Bob today gained another win at the undulating venue, this time scoring at a price of 14/1 in the Saint Patricks Country Handicap Hurdle.

Robbie Colgan was again in the plate on Neil McKnight’s charge and he beat Tranquil Sea (bidding to supply Colin Bowe with a double) by three and a quarter lengths.

There was a gap of eleven lengths back to the pace-setting Personal Shopper in third.

Eleven to one into six to one on course, and from bigger earlier, on debut for Gavin Cromwell, Personal Shopper had no extra to give on the run-in.

McKnight said afterwards: "He did it well. The last day we ran him here we probably went the wrong trip and he probably needed the run back. He liked the trip today. That last day was the only time he was out of the money around here, the whole thing didn't suit him. He's not a good traveller so he can't travel too far and he'll come back here. 

"Robbie (Colgan) gave him a great ride. He meets us once or twice a week to ride work. He's a gentleman to work with. He's very under-rated. 

"The owner Philip Boyd is my cousin and only lives over the road from me. Robbie rode him (work) and thought he was coming back to himself. It wasn't that hot a contest. The last time it was a hot handicap. It was a lot different league there today."

D. Meyler, rider of Tb Broke Her trained by A.L.T.Moore, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Tb Broke Her, trained by A.L.T.Moore, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(MG & EM)