Weihnachts delivers for Rothwell

Weihnachts (9/2) scooted away from the field between the final couple of fences of the two mile one handicap chase to post an authoritative victory.

The bottom weight travelled strongly for Simon Torrens and the pair delivered their challenge between Conright Boy and Niccolai coming to the penultimate fence.

Weihnachts grabbed a narrow initiative jumping it and was shaken up by Torrens to soon move clear.

His rivals were cooked as the leader jumped the last well. He was heavily eased down on the run-in to win by three and a quarter lengths from 33/1 shot Benefit North who kept on under Conor McNamara.

Conright Boy (13/2) came in eight lengths adrift of the winner in third.

Trainer Philip Rothwell said: “That's great. He's been a little bit unlucky for me.

“He was second in a couple of maiden hurdles and his hurdle rating was a bit too high, he just wasn't going to win off it so we went back over fences.

“He got brought down in Ballinrobe and two-and-a-half in Clonmel was a bit far for him. The real heavy ground was catching him out and Simon said it didn't feel too bad out there today.

“I think the ground is the secret with him. I'm delighted and it's great to get a winner.

"I'll have to speak to Frank (Berry, racing manager) but I'd imagine he would go for a two mile novice handicap at Gowran Park in two weeks time.

This was a breakthrough success for Weihnachts on his 17th start (a bumper, seven hurdles and nine chases).

Additional reporting by Gary Carson