Grandma Dotty delivers an upset in Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
It sounds almost implausible to say that the mile and a half handicap in Roscommon featured a 2/9 favourite in a 14-runner race. Those that played the odds paid for it as Clondaw Warrior was beaten into second by Grandma Dotty
Clondaw Warrior had hacked up in Tramore on Saturday by eight lengths and was fully expected to do the business again. This time Willie Mullins booked Pat Smullen for the ride. Billy Lee won on him on Saturday.
The hot-pot raced in mid-division before making smooth headway on the outer into fourth approaching the home bend. It then looked a matter of how far he would go on to win by.
He was on terms at the two pole and was asked for his effort a furlong out. There was no change of gear though and Grandma Dotty who was responding to Fran Berry's pressure pulled alongside and went on with 100 yards to race to win by half a length at 14/1. Papaya at 12/1 was three lengths adrift of Clondaw Warrior in third.
Successful trainer Charlie Swan said: “She likes that fast ground. It was too soft for her at Cork the last time. Bit of a case for horses for courses.
“I think the last time Fran rode her she won here (in September 2012). He also won on her mother (High Reef in July 2005) so he must be getting nearly as old as me!
“She’ll either go for another one of these or a mares maiden hurdle, but it will probably depend on the ground.”
In a freak coincidence, Tommy Stack’s Time Of My Life won a handicap at Wexford by 15 lengths in May 2012 before turning up in Roscommon two days later for a mile and a half handicap in which he was sent off the 2/9 favourite. He was beaten into third place behind Shamooda.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
