Rothwell on the mark with 20/1 outsider

Fiveaftermidnight caused a 20/1 upset when winning the Punctual Print Novice Handicap Chase at Naas today as the Philip Rothwell trained mare arrived with a strong late challenge to win under jockey Sean O'Keeffe.

The six year old mare was second-last of 13 to complete a 2m6f handicap chase at Punchestown handicap chase 25 days ago but today, in first-time cheek-pieces, returned in much better form.

Eventual runner-up Hilltop Supreme looked very likely to win having jumped the last in front but Fiveaftermidnight finished well to eventually lead close home and power to a three and three parts of a length win.

Cheltenham festival winning trainer Rothwell later explained “she won a maiden hurdle back in the summer and then had disappointed us a few times. She lost her confidence over fences and Annette that rides her out at home and looks after her has done a super job. We’ve done a good bit of schooling over hurdles with her just to get her confidence back.

“The plan was to ride her handy coming here today and then when I thought there was so much pace in the race I said to Sean going out to take your time and try and get a little bit of confidence and get her coming home well.

“That might get her into some of the good mares’ handicap chases later in the year.”

Quotes from Alan Magee