Cool And Clever digs deep to justify favouritism in opener

Cool And Clever continued a good recent run of form for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning when battling back gamely to land the €25,000 Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden at Roscommon.

The son of Vocalised was sent off the 10/11 favourite stepping up to seven furlongs having shown promise when keeping on over five on debut at Cork last month.

Cool And Clever set the pace from a low draw but looked in trouble after Sunset Shiraz quickened to the front two furlongs from home.

However, the favourite rallied strongly inside the final furlong and got back up in the closing stages to score by half a length. The pair pulled six lengths clear of New Star in third.

Bolger was represented by his daughter Una Manning who said, “He battled back well and was very courageous. His previous experience helped.

“We’ll probably step him up from seven to a mile and maybe look for a Listed race.

“I’m particularly delighted as he’s owned by my uncle Paddy and aunt Marguerite. Paddy hasn’t been so well lately and I’m sure he’ll be looking in on the telly.”