Clever ride by McDonogh on Classy Declan McDonogh made a decisive move to bag the lead early on Clever And Classy as she opened her account in the Shanagher Hearing Handicap at Roscommon. The Jim Bolger-trained filly won the early battle up front and the 13/2 shot had a couple of lengths to spare on the field when asked for an effort down the straight. She had enough up her sleeve late on to record a three-parts-of-a-length win over Star Mind. Travelling head lad Ger Flynn said:- “She was unlucky one day in Gowran (finished second) when we thought she was home. “Declan rode her on her last start at Leopardstown. He jumped out and made the running on her, she got took on a little bit early but finished fourth and ran a good race. “It’s great for Marguerite, Anne-Marie and Ken and the whole lot of them down in Wexford for her to win in the colours of the late Paddy Bolger. “She has ability and Declan gave her a fantastic ride in a drama packed race, she had a blanket under the gates and a hood. I thought everything was going to go wrong but it didn’t thank-God.”
