Kanes Pass, pink cap, unleashes her challenge© Photo Healy Racing
Horses for courses is perhaps a phrase overused in life, but those who stayed true to its meaning in Roscommon were rewarded with Kanes Pass and Have A Nice Day passing the post first and second in the seven furlong handicap.
There were three previous course and distance winners in the 13-runner field. The other one, He’s Got Rhythm, finished sixth.
Kanes Pass couldn’t go with the early pace which was set by Red All Star As those at the front started to wilt, she was getting going on the outside in the last couple of furlongs.
Leigh Roche brought she through to grab Have A Nice Day close home and win by half a length at 16/1. The runner-up was returned at 6/1. Shipyard the heavily backed 10/3 favourite (from an opening show of 9/2) raced prominently, but gave best in the last furlong and dropped to third.
Handler Willie McCreery said: “She obviously likes it around here. When I saw the draw I was raging [drawn 13]. They went so hard in front it suited her and she got a nice confident ride. She has won five races for me, what more could you ask for?”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee