Soaring Monarch brings up Manning's double Soaring Monarch wore down Galtee Mist to give Kevin Manning a double in Roscommon. Galtee Mist was sent into an early lead in this extended seven furlong handicap and the mare was on good terms with herself as she took the field along on the approach to the straight. She had the pursuers on the stretch turning for home but it was Soaring Monarch who picked up the chase with a quarter of a mile to travel. Manning asked for more a furlong and a half out and his mount responded to collar Galtee Mist in the final 150 yards. The pair won going away by two and three quarter lengths at 5/1. MK Drama got up for second at 4/1 by a head from Galtee Mist (16/1). Trainer Peter Fahey said: “He’d good form last year and was placed twice in Galway. Basil Holian bought him and our plan is to go back there for something this year. “He’s strengthened up a good bit and is a nice horse to have for the good handicaps. Kevin gave him a great ride and he suits him. “He was placed in Galway on softer ground and stayed a mile well there. We’ll see what the handicapper does and he could run again before Galway or wait and maybe get in off a low mark in a good handicap.” Soaring Monarch was coming off a break since November. Manning took the opener on Cool And Clever (10/11f) for Jim Bolger. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
