Popaflora credited his rider Andrew Ring with his sixth career success when taking the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Punchestown today, for trainer Philip Rothwell.

Ring moved the son of Alflora to lead before the straight and the pair stayed on well to defeat fast finishing Letterlee Star

Afterwards Rothwell stated “Popaflora deserved to turn around the form with the favourite (Take A Shot) as he missed the third last badly when they met at Down Royal over Christmas. I put blinkers on for the first time today but is was still hard work and he hung on.

“I'm delighted to win with him but he's no superstar and it was an ordinary handicap. Hopefully he's not too heavily penalised for that and he'll stay running in those low grade handicap chases.”