Rothwell lavishes praise on Owens

Philip Rothwell was effusive in his praise for Conor Owens who drove That's About Right home in the opportunity handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.

The 9/2 shot was worked to the front early on the run-in from Paddy Elvis (10/3) and saw him off by half a length. Aliunde was just a neck away in third in this seven-runner contest.

Rothwell said: "Delighted!

"Conor gave him a super ride. That chap from humble beginnings 18 months ago with his first ever ride over hurdles, never sat on a horse two and a-half years ago, what he is achieving this year is beyond belief.

"I thought he took a hold of him at the right time and I thought he gave him a really, really good ride. To see him (Owens) do that today, I would be extremely proud of him.

"He is a chap that is improving and improving and improving away all the time. It is an absolute credit to him. He works hard at it, hugely dedicated to it. I thought that was a super polished ride.

"From limited opportunities, six winners ridden. For any 7lb claimer, that is a huge achievement. For a fella that sat up on a horse two and a-half years ago, it is an incredible achievement."

On That's About Right, he added: "He had a couple of very nice runs, he had a very good run in Ballinrobe last year and got there a bit too soon.

"He was disappointing on ground a little bit softer. Hopefully, he can kick on and win another one in the summer and he will see a fence.

"The syndicate that have him (Namtab Syndicate) are local guys from home that work in Tinahely, our local village. They are fabulous people and great to have a first winner for the syndicate and hopefully there will be many more."