Power Roche completes Punchestown double Tiernan Power Roche completed a Punchestown double today as the 5lb claimer landed the Ladbrokes Play "1 - 2 - Free" On Football Novice Handicap Hurdle on Duffys Hodey (7/2), for his employer trainer Philip Rothwell. Power Roche, who finished third in the Leopardstown Chase yesterday from four Dublin Racing Festival rides, was in close pursuit of and gaining-on Balko D’Ange when that front-runner blundered at the final flight, with Duffys Hodey scoring readily by seven lengths. Rothwell reported “he received a 9lb penalty for winning the last day and Tiernan obviously lost 2lb of his claim since, so I associated that as 11lb. “We decided to drop him in today and I think they got racing too early, which really suited us, and Tiernan gave him a cool ride.” Jockey Power Roche had earlier steered Drusilla to win a maiden hurdle for trainer Cian Collins. Quotes from Alan Magee
