Captains Nephew (James O'Sullivan) winning at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Philip Rothwell is enjoying his best ever campaign and the Tinahely trainer is looking forward to the season ending Punchestown Festival which gets underway in just over two weeks (April 30-May 4).
Rothwell is currently fifth in the trainers’ table with nearly half a million in prize money after saddling his 37th winner of the season when the JP McManus-owned Weihnachts caused a 22/1 surprise at Down Royal yesterday.
Speaking after his latest success, Rothwell said: “We have a yard of 50 horses, and I'd say we will have ten for Punchestown.
"I have horses for some of the handicaps and we have two or three qualified for the new Full Circle Series.
"Obviously Captains Nephew won in Fairyhouse, and he will go to one of the handicaps in Punchestown whether it be the novice handicap or the two mile.
"Starzov hasn't run much this year and hopefully he will be a fresh horse for Punchestown.
"Cato's Revenge didn't handle Fairyhouse, but he has good form and could go to Punchestown.
"I'm not saying we will have a winner, but two years ago we finished second in the trainers list in Punchestown with three winners - I'd love to have a winner there. I'd love to have competitive runners for big prize money.
"We are a small yard, but we are trying to build and trying to increase quality slowly but surely."
Quotes by Michael Graham
