LIZZIE Twigg took her career record to three from four when running out a cosy winner of the SuperValu Novice Hurdle at Roscommon on Monday night. Gordon Elliott’s filly had won her maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month and went to post 11/8 favourite to follow up.

Josh Williamson produced his mount to tackle front-running rival Dani Donadoni over the third last in the two-miler and she went on after the next. The daughter of Poet’s Word kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-and-a-half-length win.

“She did it very nicely. She won very well the last day in Punchestown and it was nice to see her back it up,” said Williamson. “I thought we went a really good gallop and that probably suited Willie’s horse more, as he had form over three miles.

“She obviously won her bumper well first time out and disappointed the next day, but she’s bounced back over hurdles and I think she could be a classy filly.”

Double up

Elliott went on to complete a double in the concluding bumper with Goodgollymissholly. The Shirocco mare had been runner-up on her first start for the yard at Downpatrick last month and went to post a 9/2 shot.

Charlotte Butler led turning for home on her mount and she stuck on well in the closing stages to score by four lengths.

“We were happy coming in with her and she did it well,” said Butler, who was wearing the colours of the Connollys Bar Syndicate. “We went a nice gallop, which seemed to suit her well and she stayed on to the line well. She couldn’t have done any more.”

SEAN O’Keeffe bagged a quick double on the card when taking both handicap hurdles. Shane Crawley provided the first winner when Del Boys Diva scored at 18/1 in the Sheehy Meares/Team Earley-sponsored event over two miles.

The Court Cave mare was to the fore throughout and went clear after the second last to post a cosy seven-length success over Cool Summer.

“I’m delighted to win that,” said Crawley. “Paddy McKeon has been a great supporter of mine and it’s great to reward him with a winner. The last day was her first run in a handicap. She ran during the winter, then we gave her a break, and she probably needed the run the last day. The tongue-tie helped as well.”

Bouncing back

In the following Roscommon Herald Handicap hurdle over three miles, Western Model bounced back to form for Andrew Kinirons. O’Keeffe produced the 9/2 shot to challenge over the last and he got the better of Moonshine Girl in the closing stages for a hard-fought neck victory.

“I’m delighted with that, he’s a grand sweet horse,” said Kinirons. “The girl that works for me, Sarah (Lionti), rode him in a charity race at the Curragh and he really came alive after it.

“Sean knows him well and gave him a lovely ride. I think we might go to Galway with him, I think there is a 0-110 for him. He should be well handicapped back over fences as well.”

In the Adare Manor Opportunity event over two and a half miles, Take The Free won for the sponsor. Aidan Kelly disputed over the last on the J.P. McManus-owned gelding and Enda Bolger’s charge led on the run-in to post a two-and-a-quarter-length win over Frankie’s Freebie.

Racing manager Frank Berry said: “He had a grand run (when second) here the last day and I’d say he didn’t have to improve much to win that. Aidan gave him a lovely ride and he handled the ground. I’d say going further was a help to him as well, and he jumped well.”

ROCKY’S Howya won his fourth claiming hurdle this year, when taking the opener on the card for Declan Queally. Kevin Healy made all on the 15/8 favourite and he asserted two from home to beat Tullyveery Lad by nine lengths.

“He’s had a grand campaign. When I saw the race, a three-mile claimer, it was perfect for him,” said Queally. “Any time he goes back into open company he’s not able for it. He’s nearly 11 and he’s finding things more difficult.

“It’s grand to be able to run him in races like that, he’s not going to last forever and thankfully he’s paying his way. He might go to Galway on the Sunday for the three-mile handicap, but again he probably won’t be good enough. The owner (Margaret Kiely) might want a day out there.”

Ocean springs 40/1 shock

The second division of the Shanagher Hearing Maiden Hurdle proved incident packed and Like An Ocean had to overcome some trouble three from home before making a winning debut.

Adrian Sexton’s charge went to post a 40/1 shot, but led over the last for the trainer’s son Harry and battled well to beat Minella Moon Shine by a neck.

The winning rider, wearing the colours of the MEB Equine Syndicate, said: “I thought she’d probably learn a lot today. It was a messy race, but she still had to be very gutsy to go out and beat horses with more experience. I think that was the impressive part and we’re delighted with her.”

Late run

In the first division of the race, Cocofred got on top in the closing stages to score for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe. The Vadamos gelding challenged front-runner Astelia before the last and the 6/1 shot asserted late on to score by four lengths.

Stable representative Robbie Power said: “He had a nice run in a bumper last year and he ran well enough (when fourth) in Tramore, but we were a little bit disappointed.

“He’s come on plenty for that. I’m delighted for Jamie Allday. He was over in Limerick on Thursday, but unfortunately couldn’t be here this evening.”