Better times for McLoughlin

Dermot McLoughlin, who buried his father Liam recently, enjoyed better times at Roscommon tonight as Ocean Bright gave him a winner with his first runner as a trainer.

Robbie Dunne always had his mount prominent and had a good battle with Step Right Up in the closing stages, eventually gaining the day by a neck.

McLoughlin junior, who used to ride for Jim Dreaper, only got his licence last month.

His father Liam, who died on August 4th, was famously Arkle's first jockey and also won the Irish Grand National on Kerforo in 1962.

"She stays and gallops so we decided to make plenty of use of her," said McLoughlin of the 25/1 winner.

"Her best form in England was on soft so we knew she would handle the ground. My father must have been looking down on me."