Knocklong takes Naas bumper

Champion Owner J.P. McManus completed a double at Naas today when his Knocklong landed the concluding Tipper Road Bumper for trainer Christy Roche and under his son Padraig Roche.

Both Knocklong and Operating fought out the finish inside the final furlong with Knocklong eventually narrowly holding on under Roche.

Afterwards trainer Roche said “Padraig hadn't ridden a winner since winning at Wexford in October and I was more worried about his own fitness that the horse's!

“The form was there, the horse in the first race today (Ballynacree also trained by Roche and who defeated Knocklong last month) ran a lovely race and I knew they had come on for their runs. He won't go for a winners' bumper he has probably had enough now and we'll bring him back as a novice hurdler next year.”