CURRAGH trainer Padraig Roche revealed a hidden talent on Tuesday evening when he won the Masterchef-style cooking challenge for racing personalities in Kildare town.

The event was staged to launched this year’s Kildare Derby Festival which runs from Tuesday, June 25th, to Sunday, June 30th, coinciding with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting.

Locals turned out in big numbers to see trainers Johnny Murtagh, Eddie and Patrick Harty, and Ross O’Sullivan show off their culinary skills but it was Padraig who most impressed judges Shane Foley, Billy Lee and Chris Hayes, along with special guest Brian Redmond from RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars.

Racing TV presenters Fran Berry and Kevin O’Ryan acted as MCs for the evening and also helping out were local restaurants Silken Thomas, Cunninghams, O’Dooles, Hartes and the Gallops.

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