IN stark contrast to the wet and testing conditions he faced at the same venue on New Year’s Day, Rochestown registered a second course win at a sun kissed Tramore in the HW Fasteners Supporting Waterford City Rugby Club Handicap Chase.

Placed on recent outings at Thurles and Cork respectively, the Brendan Walsh-trained nine-year-old was sent to post a 10/3 chance (8s early), sharing favouritism with Brucejack.

Settled in third by Darragh O’Keeffe, the David O’Meara-owned victor made progress to challenge before two out and soon led narrowly.

Ridden away from the last, he extended his advantage on the run-in and was two lengths clear of the never nearer Gavin Cromwell-trained Invictus Machin at the line.

“We were just a little bit worried about the ground as it is drying out,” Walsh explained.

“He is after winning two and has been placed a few times, so he has done enough for the season and we’ll let him out in the field now.”

Cromwell again had to settle for the runner-up berth with Pampar Lady in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Third try

On what was her third try over flights, dual bumper winner Gaillimh A Run took this 15-runner affair for Dungarvan handler John Queally.

Sent off the 11/8 favourite, the seven-year-old raced in second under Adrian Heskin, improving to lead at the penultimate obstacle.

Owned by Eileen O’Brien and John Harrington, she needed to be kept up to her work all the way to the line, holding off the aforementioned Pampar Lady by half-a-length.

The runner-up was slightly hampered by the winner on the run-in but after an inquiry, the result remained unaltered.

“We will put her in foal at some stage and try get blacktype at Killarney next month, that’s the plan,” Queally remarked.

Deise abu

After the win of the Waterford hurlers over Cork in the Munster Championship, there was further joy for Déise County supporters in the concluding Kent Homes Supporting Tramore Rugby Club Rated Novice Chase.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Gua Du Large came out on top in this four-runner heat, getting the better of 2/1 favourite Dutch Schultz by three-quarters of a length.

Given a patient ride by Rachael Blackmore, the Robcour-owned 5/2 chance led narrowly over the last and was nudged out on the run-in to see off the market leader.

“The better ground helped and Rachael was great on him. He jumped well and hopefully he’ll keep progressing,” de Bromhead commented.

ENJOYING the most successful season of his career to date, Philip Rothwell came away with a double, which was initiated by Natural Breeze (15/2) in the Ger Murphy Plant Hire Supporting Tramore Athletic Club Handicap Hurdle.

Second six times since his sole previous success at Clonmel in 2021, the John Leckey-owned nine-year-old certainly wasn’t winning out of turn.

Alternating the lead with Thunder from early, the Shirocco chesnut skipped a few lengths clear before three out under conditional rider Conor Owens.

Pressed approaching the next, he soon went on again and found plenty when ridden, coming home three and a quarter lengths clear to the good.

“He has been placed so many days and he deserved that,” Rothwell, who was recording his second double in the space of three days, reflected. “It’s great for Conor, that’s his third winner and he is improving away.”

Registering his 42nd winner of the campaign, Rothwell completed his brace with Prince Of Air (10/1) in the Keltech Supporting Tramore GAA Handicap Chase.

Prominent

Ridden by Simon Torrens, the Gavin Kinch-owned seven-year-old was prominent from flag fall and gained a narrow lead after the fifth.

He kept on well when asked for more on the run-in and had a length and a quarter to spare at the line, with Mahler Cove (3/1 favourite) filling the runner-up spot.

The market leader certainly wasn’t helped by a blunder at the second last, while The Declaimer and Erigmoor also made costly errors at the last when still in with every chance.

“I thought I had two good each-way chances here and it’s great that both stuck their head in front,” Rothwell enthused.

“For a yard of 50 odd horses at the level we’re at, it’s magic. I’ve got massive support from owners and I have wonderful staff, so long may it last.”

WON 12 months ago by Scottish National hero MacDermott, Roxhill Roise beat nine gelding rivals in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Providing champion conditional elect Danny Gilligan with his 39th winner of the campaign, the David O’Brien-trained bay was sent to post a 7/1 chance.

Soon settled behind the leaders, the point-to-point winner got to the front before the last and needed to be ridden out on the run-in to hold off the late surge of Prince Palace by half-a-length.

“She is a grand mare. She disappointed at Leopardstown, Sean (Flanagan) said she was flat for some reason,” O’Brien stated.

“She will make a lovely chaser and I’m delighted for her owners (Cairde Gaoil Syndicate). They had bought her as a foal as a comrade with another one for just €800.”

Whip suspension

The stewards later suspended Diarmuid Moloney for eight days for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard fourth place finisher Wepushourlucksofar.

While the conditional riders’ title race is all but settled, the tussle between Jack Kennedy and Paul Townend for the champion jockey crown is still very much in the balance.

Kennedy moved five clear of Townend (119-114) when partnering Barrier (3/10 favourite) to a workmanlike success in the opening Perennial Freight Supporting Tramore AFC Maiden Hurdle.

Owned and trained by Gordon Elliott, the chesnut daughter of Australia was far from fluent at times but improved to lead two flights from home.

Despite another awkward jump at the last, she kept on well when ridden in the closing stages and had two and a quarter lengths to spare at the line.

“She probably made harder work of it than she should have,” Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, representing Elliott, disclosed.

“That win is important for down the line, as she is well-bred and is a half-sister to Pied Piper.”