Bitin’s stamina proves crucial

DON’T BE BITIN, winner of a bit pot over hurdles at Listowel recently, followed up last year’s victory in the Derrinstown Stud apprentice handicap at Roscommon yesterday.

Just 6lbs higher then when scoring a narrow success 12 months ago, the Eoin Griffin trained four-year-old was sent off a strong 15/8 favourite but needed all of Davey Condon’s strength to get past Shauna’s Vision inside the final furlong for an ultimately cosy two lengths victory.

Don’t Be Bitin’s stamina proved crucial as he recorded his second win on the level, to the delight of trainer Griffin who explained: “He probably needs two and a half miles over hurdles and needed every yard of today’s trip. He’s on a decent hurdle mark and I think he’s capable of winning a big handicap over the winter months but we’ll keep him on the flat for the moment and he’ll probably run in either the Irish Cesarewitch (at the Curragh on Sunday) or the Leopardstown November Handicap.”