Well backed Rodriguez takes Kilbeggan opener The well backed 9/4 favourite Rodriguez took the opening race at Kilbeggan this evening, the Betpack Maiden Hurdle, for his trainer Charlie Swan. The 5yo son of High Chaparral opened at 7/2 with Paddy Powers this morning and was well backed before opening on course at just 5/2. Ridden by Nina Carberry he led early on before being headed at the fourth flight. He regained the lead at the fourth last and went clear after the next, staying on well from there to record an easy thirteen length win. The Jessica Harrington trained Stop Road Lad finished best of the rest back in second at 16/1 under Tommy Treacy while Westhaven was a further four and a half lengths back in third at 9/2 under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade. Swan was clearly waiting for the good ground to come for this fellow as he was taken out of four engagements this summer due to the ground conditions. The last time he did run he put up a good showing to finish just two and a quarter lengths third to Our Nana Rose in a handicap hurdle on good ground at Sligo last month. Swan said afterwards: "At long last! He has always shown he is a nice horse and he might win a winners of one somewhere now. "He could go over fences but he also has the option of going back to the flat. "The owners (the Let’s Go Racing Syndicate) are a good syndicate and they have a good few horses with me but they have been unlucky." (On-course reporting by Gary Carson)
