'You never know how far things will go once you start getting a run'

Philip Rothwell has not been shy about how valuable the 7lb claim of rider Tiernan Power Roche has been to him this season, and it was evident again at a sun-kissed Down Royal where Prince Quattro gave the pair their fifth winner in the past six days in the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

A winner at Limerick in November, the son of Notnowcato was nothing if not game from the front as he fought off a host of challenges from before the second-last to beat Sights Unseen by half a length, although the runner-up could have done without the attentions of a loose horse from the final flight.

Power Roche admitted the presence of the loose horse was confusing after the last, saying: "I wasn't sure after the last. I could hear something behind me and then I saw the shadow of the loose horse and that I wasn't really worried. Then when we crossed the line I saw the runner-up and I hoped I hadn't eased up too much going to the line but thankfully I got away with it."

Speaking about his association with Rothwell, he added: "I couldn't ask for any more. Turning professional in the summer had always been on my mind. I loved riding on the track as an amateur. I won the Ladies Cup and the La Touche at Punchestown which were successes on the big stage. I managed to get a couple of nice rides at Cheltenham. It was probably getting to a stage when it was going to be now or never so I decided to give it a stab.

"I had ridden a hunter chase winner for Philip at Clonmel last January and he approached me to ride as a conditional for him. Thankfully I did and I don't regret it. He is supporting me great. I only have two more winners before my claim drops to 5lb so hopefully we can continue this run. I'm in a very lucky position at the moment. If you asked me two years ago if I would have turned conditional at the age of 27 and within six months I would be within two winners of my claim dropping to 5lb I would have laughed. You never know how far things will go once you start getting a run." 

Putapoundinthejar takes advantage

The scratching of probable long odds-on favourite Karoline Banbou from the opening maiden hurdle provided an opportunity for the Tony Martin-trained Putapoundinthejar who took advantage under Michael O'Sullivan to beat favourite Pour Les Filles snugly by a neck.

Martin said: "It has just taken a while for everything to fall into place. He's still relatively young and immature. Today’s race turned into a great opportunity with Willie's not there. We always thought he was a nice young horse and we still do."

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