El Champo (red) © Photo Healy Racing
The winners keep coming for Philip Rothwell and handicap debutant El Champo (10/1) was another for the Co Wicklow handler as he struck in the Tom Lynam Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The Ocovango gelding, partnered by Paddy O'Hanlon, got into contention after the second-last and threw down his challenge to Big Island before the last before mastering that rival on the the run-in to score by three lengths.
It was a fifth winner in the last three weeks for Rothwell who said: :- “I'm delighted. It's nice for Oliver (Barden, owner) to get another winner here.
“He's a lovely horse and the bit of rain this evening really helped him. Kilbeggan is in excellent condition this evening, loads of grass on the track.
“He appreciated the ease in it and that was a big step up on what he has been doing.
“I thought he ran a lovely race to finish second here in a maiden and the form of his Downpatrick runs have worked out really well too.
“I was hoping he'd be competitive but with it being his first run in a handicap it's hard to know how you'll fare.
“Paddy was very strong on him, he gave him a great ride. He was very positive and very strong in the finish. He's rode two finishes for me recently, two good strong rides, at Downpatrick and here and a lesser person wouldn't have won on either. I'm really thrilled with him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
