Rothwell & O'Sullivan double-up with impressive Diamond Having claimed the opener with Quarry Rocco, Philip Rothwell and James O'Sullivan doubled-up with the impressive Deons Diamond in the Paddy Smyth Memorial Mares Maiden Hurdle. Second on her sole point-to-point start when trained by Shane Byrne, the Diamond Boy four-year-old disappointed on her debut for current connections in a bumper at Roscommon last month. Sent off an 18/1 chance (33s early) for this two-mile six-furlong contest, the chestnut victor made all under O'Sullivan and jumped well throughout. She had all her rivals in trouble on the approach to the last and never came off the bridle, as she sauntered to a very easy six-and-a-half length success in the colours of the Erris Coast Syndicate. Reserve Amazing Amy (5/1) filled the runner-up spot under Alan O'Sullivan, while Hurricane Honey (7/2) was another nine lengths away in third. The winner of a point-to-point and bumper, Straight Home was sent off the 3/1 favourite but could only manage a disappointing tenth. "She mightn't be the biggest in the world but she jumps well and is very very tough," Rothwell commented. "Tom Doran who's a great supporter of mine, put together the syndicate. They're relatives and friends of his from the Erris Coast Hotel, just north of here. "The lads at home in the yard all thought she'd run really well. She was 33/1 this morning which I couldn't understand as she was second in a four-year-old maiden point-to-point. She ran a bit keen in one bumper but you'd forgive her that. "She stepped up in trip around here today, it suits horses here from the front especially in a maiden, you mightn't get away with it in a handicap, and she was getting a stone off the top horse (Straight Home) so she was entitled to run a big race. "Did I think she'd win like that? No, I didn't, but I'd have been horrified if she wasn't in the first four." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Straight Home, trained by Timothy Townend, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined C'est Rien, trained by Thomas Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * J. Coen, rider of Sleep Sound, trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount went lame and was pulled up. Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
