Roche and McManus at double with Birdsandthebees Birdandthebees brought up a Clonmel double for trainer Padraig Roche and owner JP McManus when winning the concluding handicap chase by a length and a-half. The seven-year-old mare tacked on to the main group after two out and moved ominously well on the outer, in the home straight, for Peter Smithers. She held a narrow advantage up and over the last and a lovely jump enabled her to land in stride. The 18/5 favourite forged on to beat Bite That (8/1). Crowsatedappletart was more than four lengths away in third at 4/1. Roche said: "It was a great day and I'm delighted for Peter, who gave her a great ride and is with me full-time. He works very hard and is a very good rider who is only getting going. "She had been frustrating as we thought she'd have won something by now but, for only her second chase run, she seems to love jumping. "Hopefully, it might now ignite a spark and it is great to get the winning bracket as she is homebred by Noreen (McManus). "We have a small number for the winter, but have a few nice horses and team are in good form, so hopefully it will continue." Roche and McManus also won race four with Win Some Lose Some. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
