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

Michael Graham

The Game Changer too strong in Roscommon

Mon 8th Jun 2015, 20:33

The Game Changer clears the last in RoscommonThe Game Changer clears the last in Roscommon
© Photo Healy Racing

The Game Changer put in a good display of jumping on his way to success in the two mile novice chase at Roscommon.

The 6/4 chance tracked 11/8 favourite Rock The World before the third last. After jumping that fence he took a narrow lead and travelled smoothly to the penultimate fence. He didn't increase his lead as Rock The World proved to be a stubborn opponent on his inside, however, he kept on well on the run-in to post a win by three quarters of a length.

Bryan Cooper, in the Gigginstown silks, said: "It was some race. They've done a great job with the track and the fences are riding really well. He's a horse we'll look forward to for the summer now.

"He really enjoys it (jumping fences). Four or five strides before every fence he grabs hold of the bridle and takes you to it where before you were always using him and hopefully kick into it.

"I was in front a bit sooner than I would have liked but he got a shade keen turning in and I wasn't going to disappoint him because he likes things going his own way and I felt as long as I didn't make a hames of the last I was going to win. I was lucky I met it on a good stride.

"There's nice pots for him during the summer so hopefully we'll tip away."

Trainer Gordon Elliott added: "He seems to enjoy jumping fences.

"We'll keep him for something at Galway, over fences, and he definitely get an entry in the Galway Hurdle as well.

"He was popping away and not doing anything too exciting but over the last three he was good when he wanted him.

"Riding him a bit more positively could be the key to him.

"The horses are running well and long may it continue."

This made it two from two over fences for The Game Changer.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.