Dorans River and James O'Sullivan© Photo Healy Racing
The Philip Rothwell-trained Dorans River (6/1) turned back the clock to record an eighth career win at the age of 13 in the Michael Cawe Suspended Ceilings Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
The Golan gelding, who won his bumper seven years ago and was recording his seventh win over hurdles here, finished with a real flourish to land the spoils in this extended 2m5f event. Positive Thinker appeared the likely winner when leading into the final furlong but James O’Sullivan got a great tune out of the veteran getting up close home to score by three quarters of a length.
The 4/1 favourite Tomas O Maille was a further length and a quarter away in third.
O'Sullivan said, "The job that Philip and all the lads at home, including his head man Alan Hudson, have done with this old horse is unbelievable.
"In fairness he's been a right old horse all his life and is after winning a heap of races. Thus he probably went a little bit off the boil before he came to Philip's, and he's after sweetening him up and has him back moving very well and he's just a credit to everyone at home.
"For an older type of horse he has great enthusiasm and I was probably trying to slow him everywhere on the way around because he seems to enjoy passing horses and coming late. That's the way he's done it the last couple of days.
"Getting an old horse like him to win one race, never mind win three, sure isn't it great?! Seeing the enjoyment Tom (Doran) is getting out seeing one of his old favourites back with a new lease of life is great."
Quotes by Mark Nunan
