Trooper appreciates drop back in trip

CHAMPION apprentice Chris Hayes enjoyed his trip to Roscommon last night, completing a double on Soviet Trooper and Miss Ailbhe on a bleak night for punters.

Soviet Trooper, trained by Liam McAteer for the J C B Syndicate, ran out a convincing 12/1 winner of the Michael Holland Tyres Handicap, prompting his trainer to explain: “Chris (Hayes) told me after he ran at Ballinrobe to drop him back to seven furlongs and he was right.”

“He’s a tough horse and might be capable of winning another, if the handicapper gives him a chance.”