Robindevidastar © Photo Healy Racing
Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power Roche completed a 942/1 double in the final two races at Punchestown when Robindevidastar landed the 2m4f handicap hurdle at odds of 22/1.
Returning from seven months off, the nine-year-old was in the front rank throughout and led three out.
Ridden along with a host of challengers hot on his heels turning for home, the winner asserted before the last and stayed on well to score by a length and a half from Not My Problem
It was a third career success, and a second at Punchestown, for Mrs Philomena Shanahan's gelding.
For Rothwell and Power Roche, this victory completed a big-priced brace after Rockymountainbleu sprang a 40/1 surprise in the preceding contest.
In-form 7lb claimer Power Roche commented: “He ran fresh but he was good and his jumping was super.
“I thought he was going to get swallowed turning in, I thought I was after maybe doing a little bit too much.
“In fairness to him when the horses came to him he was game, stuck his old head down and galloped to the line.
“It was a very good genuine run for his first run in a while. It was a good performance.
“That's my first double on the track, I had a few point-to-pointing but that's my first as a conditional. I'm delighted to get it.
“Things are going well but I wouldn't be able to do it without Philip. He has given me lots of chances, lots of rides, and I'm very grateful to him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
