Roibeard bounces back to form Roibeard bounced back to form to land the Fitzers Catering Rated Race under Wayne Lordan for Henry de Bromhead. Successful at Gowran last summer, the son of Big Bad Bob ran a fine race to finish fourth in the valuable 'Northfields' Handicap at the Curragh on Champions Weekend. His next two efforts were disappointing, and he again failed to make an impact on his return to action at Listowel earlier this month. That Listowel effort was over flights, and back on the level this evening he was sent off an 11/1 chance (25s in early shows) in the colours of the Carrodown Syndicate. Settled behind the leaders, he was short of room from the two furlong pole and needed to be switched to the outside. He was ridden and came with his effort from the furlong pole, edging to the front inside the final 50 yards, before going on to prevail by half a length. Park Row (14/1), for the father and son team of Denis and Ross Coakley, put in a brave effort from the front, but couldn't hold off the winner in the closing stages, and had to settle for second. Rockabil (10/3jfav) ran on well to take third, a further three parts of a length behind, while Red Striker, who was the other joint-favourite, faded inside the final furlong and eventually finished fifth. Lordan said afterwards: "He travelled good and went forward well. He probably went off the boil a bit at the end of last year and the spin over hurdles livened him up." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
