A couple of weeks ago at Downpatrick Philip Rothwell struck in a handicap chase with the Oliver Barden-owned Merrion Row. The owner and trainer were at it again today at Tramore as Rufinio (12/1) landed the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Annual Members Handicap Chase.

Andrew Ring rode this Presenting gelding and the bottom-weight seemed to benefit from the addition of a first-time tongue-strap to eclipse favourite Dawerann by two and three parts of a length.

"He is a horse that got very, very bad leg trouble in Wexford one day. Even on the day there was people who said he should be euthanised. He was in a bad old way," disclosed Rothwell.

"We brought him home and gave him eighteen months. We started him back in the winter and he is that bit better on that bit of nicer ground.

"I told his owners earlier in the week that if he stayed sound at all for today that I couldn't see him getting beaten.

"When you put your neck on the line when things weren't going so brilliantly it's nice when it works.

"I'll wait until after Punchestown with him now and see if we can find a race in Ballinrobe or somewhere with him.

"I can't run him on summer quick ground, so we have to keep him on safe ground. His owner, Oliver Barden, and his whole family, have been hugely supportive of me, and even though the last two seasons haven't been brilliant for me, they have been amazing. No one deserves it more."

(DM & EM)