Rothwell & Russell team up for Tramore win

There was plenty drama in the opening Tramore Racecourse Supporters Club Beginners Chase at Tramore today with victory in the end going to old allies trainer Philip Rothwell and jockey Davy Russell with Definite Soldier

Nine to four favourite Stay With It exited at the first fence before wayward leader King’s Whark eventually ran out of the race passing the stands with a circuit to race while Model Cloud was another to fall.

Russell was at his patient best on Definite Soldier improved him to lead after the second last fence before sending him clear from the last for a comfortable success.

Rothwell and Russell had previously teamed up for first-wins at the Cheltenham Festival when Native Jack won the 2006 Cross Country Chase and followimg today’s win, trainer Rothwell stated “I'm thrilled as he has been very, very consistent and I spotted this race for him a month ago.

“We tried to get Davy to ride him a week ago - I haven't had the best couple of months, so it's very, very important to get back on the winners board again and we have a couple of nice horses for the summer so hopefully we can get a few more and keep the thing going.

“I was delighted to have Davy riding him - Andrew (Ring) will be back on him in a handicap no doubt but we chose to put Davy on him today, just for his experience and to try and get a winner.

"John Andrew Kinsella works for me at home and his family own the horse. He does all the work with him at home, it's a credit to him really.

"He will probably go for a handicap next or he could go back over hurdles. We are in conditions beginners so he is probably not good enough to go the novice route."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy