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Smith at double in north on Rockstown Girl

Rockstown Girl and James Smith negotiate the lastRockstown Girl and James Smith negotiate the last
© Healy Racing Photos

James Smith rode a double at Down Royal when Rockstown Girl proved too good for the opposition in Division 1 of the Bluegrass Respire Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a-half miles.

The 11/1 shot tracked the leader Las Brisas Boy and took over entering the straight. Coppola narrowly headed her before two out, but she rallied to regain the advantage in tackling that flight.

She was game, under pressure on the run-in, as she saw off Coppola (7/2) by three-parts of a length for trainer Anthony McCann. Rajjnatin the 16/5 favourite, was another four-lengths adrift in third.

Smith also took the preceding race on Pat's Legacy (11/1) for Ian Donoghue.

Smith reported: "She done it nicely. The plan was to make it but the two in front went a good gallop and, when they steadied up down the back I decided to creep a bit closer. On that ground, not many of them stop if they have any bit of ability at all. I got there plenty early and, had to commit when I did get there but she was always doing enough." 

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.