Wickla winner for Rothwell

Paddy Wickla caused a 16/1 upset to win the Clonmel (Mares) Handicap Hurdle at that racecourse today as the Philip Rothwell trained mare gained a poignant win for connections.

The daughter of Leading Light had been unplaced in eight previous runs but today, under Adam Short, led at the second last before staying on well to beat Pretty Little Liar by a length and a quarter.

Rothwell later said “this is wonderful as Paddy Dowling, who was a very good friend of mine, passed away two years and I bought this mare with him and his wife Anne and the family have carried her on. Glenmalure Lodge is a hotel they have and Paddy was from Wicklow, hence this mare's name. This is a lovely day for them.

“I didn't think this would come today — I thought she might need the run. She had a really hard fall at Kilbeggan when running a super race and was very stiff and sore for a month. We have had her on the back-burner and she ran a nice race back at Ballinrobe the last day and it gave her confidence.

“She is a summer filly so we'll run away wherever we can find ground that isn't too soft.”