Roccabaker continues good form of trainer Harry Kelly Having been on the scoresheet at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, trainer Harry Kelly was back in the winners' enclosure after Roccabaker landed the Tramore Medical Clinic Handicap Hurdle at the County Waterford track. Sent off a well-backed 17/2 chance (from 20/1 this morning) under Cian Quirke, the Meadows Racing Club-owned mare tracked the leaders in the early stages of the contest. Third embarking on the final circuit, the eight-year-old went second in pursuit of race leader Maciver after the penultimate flight. Pushed along on the inner early in the straight, Roccabaker led approaching the last before keeping on nicely to score by five-lengths. Winning trainer Harry Kelly said: "She is a good consistent mare and has maybe been a bit unlucky. There was no pace in Clonmel the last day and it was a little bit short for her. She's a good staying mare and she'll be better over fences. "She is owned by a real good group of lads from west Tipperary and I'd say there will be a fair session tonight. "The man that had her previously just finished up with her and Cian (Quirke) recommended her then to us. "She is a nice honest mare, gets a trip well and doesn't like to be in front too long. That's why he was just hanging on and hanging on today. That's what happened with her at Punchestown, we tried to make the running with her and she just didn't like it. "She'll keep going in handicaps. Hopefully the handicapper will give her a chance and I'm looking forward to going over fences with her." Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
