Galon De Vauzelle and Paddy O Hanlon win the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase Healy Racing Photo© Photo Healy Racing
Galon De Vauzelle continued an excellent Christmas for trainer Philip Rothwell when staying on strongly to land the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.
That success saw Wicklow based Rothwell add to a festive tally that already included a brace from Limerick earlier in the week.
Third in the 2022 renewal of this contest, the seven-year-old had some luck on his side here, as last years runner-up Archies Charm still appeared to be travelling easily when departing at the final fence.
The well supported Sweet Will was one of the main suffers in the carnage that followed that fall but the eventual winner was also fortunate not to come down.
Irish Grand National winning jockey Paddy O'Hanlon managed to negotiate a safe passage for the Tom Doran owned gelding who galloped on strongly to prevail by six lengths.
Philip Rothwell said: "Very heavy ground the second-last day in Fairyhouse and he just didn't handle it. Hence he was out so wide today.
"I went to Cheltenham and I thought he was doing a half-speed down to the third-last, and just switched in and made a mistake at the wrong time.
"He did nothing wrong that day, I thought he was running a blinder.
"I just said to Tom Doran his owner that there is no Seddon in the race this year. Last year Seddon beat me 10 lengths and look what he went on to do.
"He was 4lb higher this year and we fitted blinkers for the first time not because he is ungenuine, but just to sharpen him up with what had happened in Cheltenham and before that.
"Going around the parade ring beforehand, he was on his 'A' game. I was very confident of a very big run.
"Thank God - now I don't look so stupid!
"If you go back and look at his form last year and the horses that beat him, his runs were incredible. He just kept coming up against one.
"He is extremely genuine and such a gorgeous horse. Thank God he has won.
"I'd love to bring him back to the UK and try him on good ground over further. It is something I have in my head. I'd love to drop him in over three and a-half miles on good ground in a good chase over there to see what would happen.
"I love trying different things to see if you can find an edge. You can't stay what you are doing or you get to a level and you don't go further.
"That is my 33rd winner and has equalled my best season."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
