Taken Twice and Splaine work well together

David Splaine was seen to good effect aboard Taken Twice who beat Knockanarrigan at the end of three miles in the J.F. Hanley Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon. John The Soldier took the field along until he was joined at the second last by Knockanarrigan who moved to the head of proceedings after jumping that flight.

Splaine, however, guided Taken Twice into a position down the outside to get on terms at the last and from there Take Twice got on top as the post loomed for a neck victory at 6/1.

Knockanarrigan came in second at 16/1 with John The Soldier keeping on for third, some nine and a half lengths back at 11/2. Ahorsecalledmolly gave her each way backers a return when grabbing fourth in this 17-runner race.

Michael McDonagh trains the seven-year-old son of Presenting. His son Mark was representing him and he said: “My father had a few runners in Cork yesterday. He was staying with a good friend Noel Glynn who had a winner so they were celebrating.

“This was a long time coming. He’s a nice horse and will probably appreciate a fence in time.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson