Bookies take Flight as Roche strikes again! Bookmakers will gladly welcome the birth of the Christy Roche trained Royal Flight's first born foal, as the soon-to-be-retired mare landed her third successful gamble in the J & B O'Sullivan Builders Mares Beginners Chase at Killarney today. The mare now appears to have struck the bookmakers three times and having initially proven a well backed winner of her maiden hurdle in February 2013, followed up that win with a sizeable gamble at Down Royal on last St Stephen's Day. Ridden by regular rider Jody McGarvey, the chasing debutante was backed today from 3/1 in the morning into 13/8 second favourite, and readily saw off the challenge of 6/4 favourite Elsie from the last, for a comfortable two lengths win. Roche, who was recording a double having trained Bay Hill to an earlier win, wasn't present but McGarvey, whose sister Julie McGarvey owns the mare in partnership with Roche's wife Noeleen, stated “she's schooled well, jumped brilliantly today and was like a handicapper. “She's in foal to Dylan Thomas so her options now could be quite limited but she would be better on softer ground.” Quotes from Alan Magee
