Biggest success yet for Roche a year on from breakthrough win Padraig Roche scored his first success as a trainer on this card last year, and today the Curragh handler registered his initial victory in graded company in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse with Way Back Home. Twelve months back Out Of The Loop made the breakthrough for Roche in the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle, and for this Grade Three event Way Back Home arrived with course and distance know-how having won here 10 days back. The jockey then, Mark Walsh, this time had to ride Farid (finished last of the six) for J P McManus, and Robbie Power took the reins on Way Back Home. Power and his mount, in first-time cheek-pieces, proved very formidable from the front. Try as they might Way Back Home’s rivals never really threatened to find a way past, 20/1 shot Morosini doing best of the rest, three and a half lengths off in second place. Peter Comerford of Comerford Cakes owns Way Back Home, and he of course is part owner of 2019 Irish Greyhound Derby prospect Killer Bee too. “He seems to have improved and has surprised me. Robert said he goes a nice gallop and he keeps going," said Roche. “It’s great to get a Grade 3 especially for the owners who have been very patient with him. “He’s not entered at Cheltenham but we could have a look at one of the Festivals now. I’d say the owners would love to have a runner at Punchestown. “He doesn’t have to make it and I thought Gavin Cromwell’s would go on. Mark (Walsh) said he was a bit lairy in front the last day so we put cheek-pieces on and Robert said he travelled a lot better today. “He goes a good gallop and he jumps well.” (AM & EM)
