Bercow battles to give Donoghue double

The Jim Dreaper-trained Mr Bercow found more in the closing stages to emerge on top after a good battle in the straight with Esthers Marvel at Limerick.

The pair came to dispute the lead after the third last in the second division of the Newcastlewest Handicap Hurdle and had it between them turning for home.

Mr Bercow gained a narrow lead jumping the last in the two-mile-five contest and the 9/4 favourite stayed on best to the line to post a length-and-a-quarter success.

The Insatiable gelding was completing a double on the card for jockey Keith Donoghue who had also landed the opener on Clever Currency

The trainer's son and assistant Tom said:- “This horse would have stayed down the point to point route only for the mess with Covid so we decided to go hurdling.

“If he didn't win today, he'd have gone point to pointing next season and ground allowing, he'll jump a fence.

"Val (O'Connell) and his team have done a great job with today's ground as in this weather it is great to get a bit of soft ground for these horses.

"Declan and his wife Elaine (O'Farrell) own him and run RaceDisplays (a company specialising in event advertisings).

"They live five miles from us and are the best in the world and had Lord Fingal who was good hunter chaser a few years ago."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)