Shrewdoperator another for in-form Rothwell

Philip Rothwell recorded his third winner in the last 10 days, as his Shrewdoperator took the Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Handicap Chase.

Successful at Downpatrick on March 25th with Shanklys Dawn, Rothwell was since on the mark at Cork on Saturday with the well-backed Definite Doyenne.

Shrewdoperator was himself well-supported this afternoon. Available at 9/1 last night, the Oliver Barden owned grey opened on-course at just 4/1 before going off a 7/2 joint-favourite under Conor Maxwell.

Prominent throughout, the eight-year-old victor was tackled by Knockraha Pylon from two out, but he fended off that rival gamely, keeping on best on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

Knockraha Pylon (4/1) had to settle for second under Finian Maguire for his father Adrian, while Spare Brakes who was the other joint-favourite, was nineteen lengths back in third with Liam Gilligan aboard for Robert Tyner.

Rothwell said afterwards: "He loves heavy and loves jumping and I was just hoping the meeting would be on. Deep ground, on two miles and over big jumps is what he wants.

"He might now sneak into a big handicap off a low weight but if the ground isn't heavy he won't run.

"Mallow has been very lucky for me and all year I've had just ten runners but four winners.

"I've some very nice four year old horses to run this year and am in a much more fortunate situation than I was 18 months ago."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes