Woodstream Lad comes good on first start for Rothwell

Woodstream Lad made the perfect start for trainer Philip Rothwell when taking the concluding Horse And Jockey Handicap Hurdle in impressive fashion at Thurles.

The six-year-old son of Soldier Of Fortune only recently joined the Tinahely trainer from Keith Watson and made a mockery of his lowly rating of 85 with a comprehensive win at odds of 13/2 in this two-mile event.

Phidelma Elvin ’s mount led early in the straight and took control from before the final flight with the rider able to give him a congratulatory pat down the neck in the closing stages.

The 9/4 favourite Herculaneum was seven and a half lengths back in second with Be My Hero who was hampered at the penultimate flight, a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Rothwell said, "I had admired that horse running during the summer and was buying him to go to England for a friend of mine but the sale didn't happen. I persevered and when I ended up buying him, brought him home and asked John Leckey (owner) to get involved with me.

"The form of his Sligo race worked out well and Phidelma rides him out and works hard with him at home so I promised her the spin on him. It has worked out really well, I fancied him big-time and told her to kick on when she did."

Quotes by Tom Weekes