Rochestown keeps rookie rolling

Seasoned assistant-turned rookie trainer Brendan Walsh registered a second success today with agonising all-out victor Rochestown (4/1f) in Punchestown's Hospitality At Festival 2023 Handicap Hurdle (div I).

A short-head point-to-point winner from Churchstonewarrior in 2020, Rochestown today held on to score by millimetres more, beating Chelseas Friend and Costanuci by a head and a nose.

Walsh, whose retired-since-November father John Joe Walsh trained his first winner in 1963, had his first winner on February 9 and today reported “that was great and Ambrose (McCurtin, jockey) gave him a great ride.

“I'd say he just idled going to the last and nearly got beaten.

“The last day he ran over three miles here when it was his first run back and he ran into a bit of trouble turning in, before running on to finish a moderate third. Today's race wouldn't have been a great race but hopefully we might find another little race for him.

“Maybe he could go back up in trip as he stays well.

“Dave O'Meara is from Limerick and he has been very patient with him so it's great that it's paid off for him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson