Royal Rhythm ploughs through testing ground

Royal Rhythm hacked up on his return from a break in the second split of the the three mile handicap hurdle in Galway.

The 9/1 shot made headway for James O'Sullivan after three out and travelled smoothly on the inner to close at the next.

He eased to the front approaching the home bend and had the race sewn up once he jumped the last well.

He powered further and further clear on ground he relishes to rout the field by 13 lengths.

The placings of the second and third home were reversed as A Dublin Job veered across the track in the closing stages and carried Mahler Appeal with him. Mahler Appeal (6/1) was promoted to second with A Dublin Job (11/4f) demoted to third. Well Polly (9/1) was nine lengths further adrift in fourth.

Trainer Philip Rothwell said: “John (Leckey) owns a couple horses with me and we've been lucky.

“James gave him a fantastic ride because they went way too fast. They jumped off, went too quick and then they started racing too early. He kept taking him back.

“If I had some of the other horses in the race I'd be furious. He won too well which means I'm right, they went too fast and he kept taking him back and he was the only one that finished.

“He has threatened to win a couple of handicap hurdles and has been placed in a heap of them.

“He loves the muck and he's always looked like he'd win a race on soft ground.

“He got a summer break and was fresh and well and the race fell apart.

“Hopefully because of his winning margin he doesn't get murdered (by the handicapper) but it's great to get the winner.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson