Roconga and Declan Lavery stride away to victory© Photo Healy Racing
"Enormous pressure was relieved as he passed the post in front, as he is owned by my son-in-law (Robert Byrne)!" declared Edward O'Grady after his Roconga took the night-cap at Clonmel.
On an evening where favourite backers endured more than their fair share of misery, joint market-leader, Roconga (3/1), rounded off proceedings in style at Powerstown Park, landing the Friday June 12th At Clonmel Flat Race by six and a half lengths.
Declan Lavery did the steering on the Rakti gelding, and in the ten horse field he came through to challenge two furlongs out, keeping on strongly to defeat the easy-to-back newcomer, Sizing Knockeen
O'Grady further explained: "He did today what we hoped he'd do a couple of runs ago, and is a half brother to Jumbo RIo, who was quite useful for me.
"I'm not sure whether he'll go for a winners bumper or hurdle next, but he'll be kept on the go during the summer as he likes that good ground."
(TW & EM)