Boom Or Bush wins Down Royal finale

The Harry Rogers trained Boom Or Bush got off the mark at the 12th attempt at Down Royal today, landing the concluding Magners Forbidden Flavours Handicap under Champion Jockey Pat Smullen.

The son of Bushranger had shown signs of life in recent times and having gained prizemoney with two fourth place finishes in June, today went clear of his rivals inside the final furlong before beating All Of Me

Rogers later commented “he has always promised it and that's why Pat (Smullen, regular rider) stuck with him - he was very keen to ride him and got down to 1lb over (weight at 8st9lbs). When you have him on your side it's a big help.

"Boom Or Bush did it well and I think there is more in him, he's on the right side of the handicap.

"He's in Galway on Friday - that's the plan to go there with him and lower ground would even suit him a bit better.

"He promised plenty as a two-year-old and was a little bit disappointing this year. We put blinkers on him and cheekpieces, we tried everything with him. We just decided we would leave him alone and ride him differently."

Quotes from Michael Graham