Fiveaftermidnight scores for Rothwell & O'Hanlon

Fiveaftermidnight caused a 22/1 surprise when just coming out best following an exciting finish to the NavanRacecourse.ie Mares Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old mare was recording a third win for connections and bridging a gap of 16 months since her previous victory.

Paddy O’Hanlon did well to keep the partnership intact at the penultimate fence where A Girl Like Me was in contention when making a race ending mistake.

Fiveaftermidnight recovered to jump the last with Reine Fee and just got the better of that rival in the closing stages to prevail by half a length.

The pair pulled nine and a half lengths clear of Flamingo’s Court in third.

Rothwell said, "Paddy gets on really well with her, he was second on her at Leopardstown last year, and he has a really good understanding of her.

“The ground the last day in Naas was just that little bit heavier on the chase track and she struggled a little bit. I was worried today as I thought it might still be on the soft side for her but he rode her plenty wide and she loved it. He gave her a great ride.

“I'm delighted for John Leckey who is a huge supporter of the yard. It's great to get him another winner. We might even look at putting her in foal down the line and running away for the year. She's a lovely mare to have and she's been great.

“She could also revert back over hurdles and we'll probably keep her going into the summer.”

(GC & AM)