Oscer Romero gives Rothwell his brace

Oscer Romero beat the 10/3 favourite Rain In Spain into second in the featured BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe to bring up Philip Rothwell's double.

The six-year-old Court Cave gelding moved kindly for Sean O'Keeffe as the pair made their move behind Rain In Spain approaching the home bend.

In-foal Rain In Spain led on the run-in as she attempted to supplement her recent victory in Cork, but Oscer Romero threw down the gauntlet at the furlong marker.

He got the better of his rival with 150 yards to go and drew right away by six and a half lengths at 5/1. Rain In Spain was a length and three parts in front of third-placed Pump Road (15/2).

Rothwell said: "It's smashing to have a double for the Bardens. They are two lovely horses and appreciated the nicer ground. Things just worked out for them both. They went a nice gallop in front of them and the races suited. The lads gave them two very good rides.

"Coming up last night was a good idea. I think everyone else was looking at negative press on TV while I was rolling the lorry on up the road trying to look after these horses. It looks now like we did the right thing anyway.

"I have a reserve running later on and hopefully she will run a nice race for her owners. We will go home with them and please God they will be all safe and sound. We will roll on to Galway then.

"The two winners are both entered in Galway and, while I'd love to go there with them, if it is coming too soon I won't. They were both kept to go there, but I came here because I saw two opportunities and it was warranted. Hopefully they will come out of this well and they might go on to Galway."

Rothwell was also on the mark with Union Park in race three.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy