Granite Bay putting a sequence together

Granite Bay supplemented his victory in Cork with another in the concluding Roscommon Racecourse Handicap over an extended mile and a-half. Solar Drive travelled well to pick off Dont Do Dramas with two furlong to negotiate and soon went for home.

He looked to have got first run, however, Granite Bay was picking up in third and stayed on to best effect to collar Solar Drive in the final 100 yards. From there, he went on by a length at 10/3.

Runner-up Solar Drive was the 2/1 favourite and was a length and a-quarter in front of Dont Do Dramas (11/2).

Jarlath Fahey said: “It's great that he followed (up). We were a bit concerned about the ground, we were hoping for a few showers during the day and were debating about whether we'd run him or not.

“Ronan said he'd be comfortable on good ground, but we just feel that he's a horse that would like to get his toe in. He is a bit big and immature yet.

“He's a work in progress, he seems to be improving and we're delighted with him.

“Ronan said it was plenty quick enough down the back straight for him which is unusual here. He said when he met the rising ground he was more comfortable on that.

“He will handle good ground when he matures a little bit more. It's great that he's won two and fingers crossed he's progressing.

“We'll keep him to the normal handicaps, he's only coming up through the ranks and learning his job.

“He's after having two quicks runs so we won't be looking for anything immediately with him. We'll freshen him up a little bit, it's a long season still ahead of us.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson