Groody in the groove

Groody Hill readily defied a 12lbs penalty incurred at Punchestown five days ago when winning the M.W. Hickey Memorial Handicap Chase for trainer Christy Roche and jockey Alan Crowe at Wexford today.

The winner, who carried a mandatory 6lbs penalty, moved to the front before the final fence before easily accounting for Westmeath Bachelor and Ardglen (who himself knows a thing or two about mandatory penatlies!).

Afterwards winning owner J.P.McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry stated “Groody Hill did it nicely, loves that soft ground and jumps well.”

“We had to run again today because he was up 12lbs in future handicaps after his Punchestown win and we’ll keep him on the go for the winter now.”