Bello lands hat-trick for Rothwell The Philip Rothwell-trained Kotkito Bello rallied to run out a convincing winner of the WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle at Thurles, landing a hat-trick in the process. The No Risk At All gelding won over fences here in late October before following up over timber at Punchestown last month. Tiernan Power Roche bounced out in front on the 11/4 favourite but he was joined by Fiver Friday over the second-last and soon narrowly headed. The five-year-old responded well for Power Roche as he led again over the final flight and soon stretched clear to post an eight-and-a-half length success. The winning rider said afterwards:- "Everything has come together with him recently and he has been very well placed by Philip. He has a high cruising speed and is very good at that trip. "In fairness to Alan Hudson, who rides him out and does all the work and schooling with him, he told me that this horse would give me my winner before Christmas and he was right." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
