Treble on day for Hughes Thunder And Roses never came off the bridle under a confident Robbie McNamara as he sauntered home in the bumper at Naas. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned four-year-old was second in a Roscommon bumper last time, but there was no chance of him being second today. Although there was a bunch of five horses seemingly in contention at the business end of the race, all eyes were on Thunder And Roses as McNamara sat motionless and afforded a long look across at his rivals who were all flat to the boards. The pair then scooted away in the last furlong of the two mile three race to win as they liked by 11 lengths. From 7/2 in the morning, the money was piled on as he was returned at 10/11 favourite. Robbie McNamara said: “He did it very well. He’s a nice big easy going horse. He’ll make a smashing chaser in time and he has a lovely attitude.” Mullaghanoe River (9/4) edged out Our Cobajay (20/1) by half a length for second. This winner gave Dessie Hughes an across the card treble as he also had Kilavalley and Lyreen Legend come up trumps at Galway. (Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
