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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mr Fred Rogers relishes a longer trip

Sun 19th Dec 2021, 15:19

Mr Fred Rogers, near side, jumps the last in unison with Nell's WellMr Fred Rogers, near side, jumps the last in unison with Nell's Well
© Photo Healy Racing

Mr Fred Rogers (even-money favourite) showed he is all about stamina as a late thrust took him home in the extended two mile seven furlong rated novice hurdle in Thurles.

It would be fair to say he put in a less than stellar jumping performance but it was his engine that won the race for him.

The patiently-ridden Nell's Well (6/4) unleashed her challenge approaching the last and was in front of Mr Fred Rogers on the run-in.

The recent Grade 3 winner kept going, however, Mr Fred Rogers' stamina reserves kicked in in the closing stages as he took aim and shot past her to score by a length and a quarter for Gordon Elliott.

Jockey Shane Fitzgerald said: "He dived out through one hurdle but I was always travelling very easy and he finds plenty off the bridle too.

"We went very steady early on and it was only after a circuit that we started to quicken and we were fairly motoring down over the last two few but he always had plenty in hand.

"He is a lovely horse."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

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.