Philip Rothwell© Photo Healy Racing
Philip Rothwell completed a 53/1 double at Down Royal as the lightly-raced Divine Rhapsody made his first outing in handicap company a winning one in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novice Handicap Hurdle.
The son of City Honours earned a trip to the Cheltenham Bumper three years ago after winning on his debut at Punchestown, and was far from disgraced in finishing seventh behind Cheltenian.
However injury problems have greatly curtailed his career since, and he was off the course for two and a half years before reappearing in November.
An initial mark of 104 was always going to be interesting if he retained some of that bumper race promise, and the eight-year-old showed plenty of guts in the straight. Cassells Rock looked sure to score after striking the front two out but the 5/2 favourite veered left under pressure on the run-in.
Meanwhile Divine Rhapsody stayed on gamely on the far rail for Brian O’Connell, and the 8/1 chance got up to score by a length and three quarters.
Front-runner The Engineer was a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Rothwell said, He won the Land Rover bumper for me but has been off with really bad leg trouble. We've had a torrid time with him.
“He was coming home from the races muscle sore as he stood in a stable for 18 months. So this is a massive achievement and hopefully he can build on it."
He added, "He's owned by Richard Walshe junior, who is out in Canada and his dad is here to collect the trophy."
O’Connell said, “I thought I was well cooked at the third last but in fairness he’s grinded it out better than the rest of them. He was a shade lucky that Brian’s (Cooper) horse drifted after the last.”
Rothwell earlier initiated his double when Mark Me Up led home a 1-2 for the Tinahely trainer in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
