Sport

Experimental clicks

Philip Rothwell, who has only been training a year-and-a-half, put one over on his better known rivals when winning the £50,000…

Sat Nov 18 2000 - 00:00

Philip Rothwell, who has only been training a year-and-a-half, put one over on his better known rivals when winning the £50,000 SERE Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal yesterday.

Rothwell (22), who comes from Wicklow, had been eyeing this race for some time and his plan clicked into place when Experimental took up the running from the second last hurdle to go clear and win by four lengths from the Arthur Moore trained Masalarain, with Trythaena finishing third. Afterwards Rothwell said: "I only got this horse 12 weeks ago and I have to thank my head lad Gerry Bolger for the way he has prepared him. The last time Experimental ran here I was guilty of giving jockey Joe Casey the wrong instructions and we were beaten by Moon Shot. Experimental had gone to the front too soon and I am fully to blame.

"Today we decided to hold him up and the plan worked. He will run again hopefully after a short break in the Pierse Handicap Hurdle, which was the old Ladbrooke at Leopardstown in January.

"This was the biggest win of my career. I only took out a licence in April 1999 and I had my first runner a week later at Punchestown. Today was my 17th winner of the National Hunt season."

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Casey (23), who had a winner in Melbourne when a member of the Irish jockeys team in the summer, said: "Experimental was always going easily and he came to the last hurdle still on the bridle. This was also the biggest success of my career."

The Co Derry trained Clady Boy gave jockey Normal Williamson a success at the meeting when scoring in an eventful Alexander Forbes Handicap Chase. Clady Boy, who was trained by Syl Kirk, led or disputed the lead throughout until Lord of the Dance fell when in contention at the third last. Wilton Bridge then gave chase and he fell at the last, leaving Clady Boy to win easily.

For owner Kevin Martin it was a pleasant break in his Spanish holiday, for he listened to the course commentary by mobile phone.

On the Mend, trained by Michael O'Brien and ridden by Tom Rudd, repelled a strong challenge from the Noel Meade-trained Good Vintage to win the Quay Cargo Services Maiden Hurdle while Softly Softly gave trainer Declan Gillespie his second jumping winner of the season when winning CUSP Maiden Hurdle.