18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Roconga gets home in 1-2 for O'Grady

Sat 15th Apr 2017, 16:53

Roconga and Seamus Heffernan Roconga and Seamus Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing

The Edward O'Grady-trained Roconga made a winning start in JP McManus' colours when getting home in a tight finish for the Cork Handicap in Mallow this afternoon.

The seven-year-old had attracted a few quid at 12/1 this morning and eventually went to post an 8/1 shot.

Seamie Heffernan held his mount up before making ground down the straight. He stayed on to lead inside the final furlong and held on close home as stable-mate Le Vagabond kept on on the rail, to get within a neck, and Sikandarabad finished well on the outer, a head further back.

The winner was having his first outing since finishing mid-division in the November Handicap at Leopardstown.

"He won over 1m4f at Dundalk but being a bumper winner, we always thought he wanted further than this (1m2f),” said O'Grady.

"He is 17 hands and maybe has now got a bit stronger and I was pleased with both of them (also runner-up Le Vagabond). Both will go to Punchestown for a couple of handicap hurdles next and will mix it for the summer."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

1st
8/1
Tote €9.30 €2.20
2nd
nk
7/1
€2.50
3rd
hd
9/2Fav
€1.30
4th
0.5L
20/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.