Prince Zaltar (left) and Paddy O'Hanlon© Photo Healy Racing
Philip Rothwell and Paddy O’Hanlon teamed up to take the Navan Racecourse Handicap Hurdle as the well-backed Prince Zaltar finished strongly to snatch the spoils in this 2m4f event.
The 4/1 favourite Music Of Tara looked sure to score when asserting from the second last and still held a four lengths advantage on the run-in.
However, Rachael Blackmore’s mount couldn’t maintain the gallop and the line came in time for Prince Zaltar.
The 12/1 shot, available at 28/1 this morning, scored by half-a-length with Unanswered also finishing well just a neck back in third. Junior Rattler completed the places in fourth.
Rothwell, saddling his 15th winner of the season, said: "He won in Tramore last year and I thought we'd be on an upward curve. The lads in the syndicate are amazing because anything that could go wrong did go wrong. He ended up getting very keen and they let me do my own thing with him.
“I thought he ran a blinder in Fairyhouse the last day, where he met plenty of traffic and finished fourth.
“He was 25/1 today and I said to the lads that I couldn't see him not being in the first four. It's been a great day. He met traffic problems again today and Paddy was very strong.
“I thought I had a nice little horse last year and the wheels fell off. The lads have been hugely supportive. Ian Marmion heads the syndicate, I kept saying sorry to him but told him this would come right but that he may leave it with me. Other people would have gotten hugely frustrated.
“We'll take our time with him. He can mix it over fences as well, he's only a young horse.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
