By Andrew Atkinson
Gordon Elliott had all but given up on success at Naas on Saturday – until Roaring Bull stormed to victory in Ireland!
“I thought it was going to be a tough day and thought we might struggle for a winner,” said trainer Elliott.
Roaring Bull gained an emphatic 14 lengths win returning at 7-1 in the O’Driscoll O’Neil handicap chase ahead of Velocity Boy, ridden by Jack Kennedy.
“Jack gave him a great ride – he’s a bit of a monkey of a horse – but has the ability when things go right for him”, said Elliott.
Leader selection Joseph O’Brien runner Commandant (3.40) ran third at 12-1 behind winner Eviscerating in a 20 runners field on a day when racing in Britain had been suspended after an equine flu outbreak, with racing at Newbury, Lingfield, Uttoxeter, Warwick and Wolverhampton being abandoned.
Just one yard remains affected being Donald McCain’s stable at Cheshire following tests at over 700 stables.
Roaring Bull tip followed winning selection City Island in the Connolly’s Red Mills Auction hurdle (12.40).
Leader tips All For Joy, backed down from 7-2 to 5-4, finished second behind Advantage Point, when beaten in the run in, in a 25 runners field; and Debuchet ran second when beaten by Emily Moon in a 25 runners field.
