Morning Ireland rises early

Owner JP McManus secured a quick-fire double on the card when Morning Ireland outclassed the field in the four-year-old maiden hurdle at Clonmel.

The Christy Roche-trained gelding jumped soundly and travelled strongly. Jockey Alan Crowe was motionless as the pair took it up two out and scooted clear to win by six-and-a-half lengths and reward favourite punters at odds of 9/10.

This was his first effort over hurdles after being placed in two bumpers at Punchestown and Roscommon, where he was sent off favourite on both occasions.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said: “He jumped well but we were a bit worried he wouldn’t settle as he ran very free in his bumpers. He’ll go for a winners of one next.”

In-form Roche has trained four winners in the last 11 days. Sughera who was a drifter in the morning from 6/1 to 15/2, came home runner-up at 9/1 with Not My Idea taking third a head further back at 25/1.

Michael Graham