One Horse Army strikes for Roche & Smithers One Horse Army (14/1) enjoyed the return to fences when landing Fairyhouse’s handicap chase over just short of three miles in the hands of Peter Smithers. The Mahler gelding, owned and trained by Curragh handler Padraig Roche, had been unplaced in three runs over hurdles this term but had won a pair of handicap chases last January, including over a longer trip at this venue Having raced in mid-division, the nine-year-old made headway in the straight and moved second on the run to the last. Duce Bigalow had led from flagfall but got under that final fence and lost momentum, and on the run-in it was One Horse Army who stayed on best to account for the long-time leader by a length and a half. “That’s his game, heavy ground like that and jumping,” said Smithers. “He had a few runs over hurdles before now but I think fences make a big difference to him. He travels a lot better and jumps better. “That ground makes a big difference.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
