Duroob books Galway spot

DUROOB, trained by Oliver Brady for Rita Shah, outstayed his rivals to land the featured Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon last night.

The tough eight-year-old, successful at Down Royal in May, took over from front-running Dream Honours at the second last obstacle before stretching clear to score by nine lengths, with Hoopy third. A sizeable group gathered around the winner’s enclosure, anticipating another ‘performance’ by ebullient winning trainer Brady who ended his mini-oration by asking for a rousing ‘three cheers’ for his beloved Monaghan.

Afterwards, Brady explained: “He’s only 15.2 hands, the smallest horse in the race, but he’s in some form and the young lad (Matthew Bowes) is riding well. He’ll definitely be going to Galway now.”