Rouge bounces back with Grade 3 success Lord Rouge dug deep in the closing stages to get on top in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Gowran Park. Gordon Elliott saddled two in the Grade 3 contest and it was the Robcour-owned gelding who proved best, with 5/6 favourite Bally Free proving a disappointment back in fourth. Danny Gilligan produced 9/2 shot Lord Rouge to challenge after the second last, in the two-mile-seven contest, but the Castle Du Berlais gelding ran around a bit when first asked for his effort. He knuckled down to dispute with Changeyourstars approaching the last and edged ahead from that rival late on for a half-length success. The winner was bouncing back having finished tailed off in Grade 1 company at Naas last month. Assistant Lisa O’Neill said:- "He toughed it out really well and Danny said he showed a good attitude. “He probably still needs to learn how to race and can be off and on the bridle a little bit but it is lovely to see him do that, as he had been very disappointing at Naas the last day. "Nothing obvious came out of his Naas run but we knew he was better than that and he was stepping up in trip today with a hood on. He showed a good attitude as it is tough going out there. "He was due to run in the original race in Clonmel so it was great that it was rescheduled and brought here." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
