Presenting Lad and Michael O Sullivan win the Re Max Team Earley Handicap Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Runner-up over course and distance last time, Presenting Lad won for the second time at Roscommon when easily taking the Re/Max Team Earley Handicap Hurdle under Michael O'Sullivan.
It was the second time in 24-hours that the winning jockey had combined successfully with trainer Mark McNiff; the pair also enjoying a win at Sligo on Sunday with Red Ball Of Fire.
Held up towards rear as befits his running style, the Califet gelding moved closer on the run to three out and was produced to lead after the second last.
Pushed out by O'Sullivan after the final flight, the McNiff trained horse had three and three-quarter lengths to spare at the finish.
Michael O’Sullivan reported, “He did it well. Mark had him in savage order today and my biggest job really was slowing him down everywhere.
“He didn’t do a whole lot when he hit the front but they all stopped in front of me. I ran him into as much trouble as I could but eventually you have to go. He had a good look in front but in fairness he stayed going straight to the line.
“He seems to love the sharp two miles here. He likes to get on with it and that suits him here. We flew over the first two and he travels and jumps so well after that.
“I’ve had three rides for Mark in the last two days and two of them have won.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
