Well-backed Alone completes 55/1 double for McGarvey

It was a case of two rides, two winners for Jody McGarvey at Wexford this afternoon, with I'm Not Alone completing his 55/1 brace in the concluding Duncannon Handicap Chase.

It has been an excellent week thus far for McGarvey, as he was also on the mark at Clonmel on Thursday and Kilbeggan yesterday.

Earlier successful on Balinaboola Steel McGarvey rides the well-fancied Portmore Lough in the feature at Ballinrobe tomorrow, the McHale Mayo National.

Trained by Conor O'Dwyer, I'm Not Alone had been disappointing of late but came in for strong market support today.

Available at 16/1 in early shows, the daughter of Yeats went from 12s to 7s on-course.

Settled towards rear, the JP McManus owned victor made gradual progress from four out and was ridden to challenge at the second last.

She hit the front as they bypassed the final fence, keeping on strongly from there to record a comfortable four length success. Avec Espoir (18/1), who was hampered at the tenth, ran well to finish second under Adam Short, while My First Symphony (13/2) was another length and a quarter back in third. Cantkidakidder was sent off the 18/5 favourite and he finished fourth.

O'Dwyer said in the aftermath: "That's brilliant, I'm delighted. She is at a level and that was her level today.

"Jody was absolutely amazing on her in fairness. He gave her every chance, he crept and did everything we wanted.

"She is a home-bred of Noreen McManus. Herself and Don't Let Go (a dual winner for O'Dwyer) are sisters so they've both won now at least.

"We'll stick to that sort of level and we'll see if she can pick up another one.

"The horses are running well and we've had three seconds this week. They are healthy and well and are running well and it's just a matter of getting a bit of luck."