Give Him A Chance extends Rothwell's lead in William Hill Series Trainer Philip Rothwell extended his lead at the head of the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series when Give Him A Chance stayed on best to take the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle at Naas. Having already secured almost twice as many points as his nearest rival, Rothwell went further clear in the series after the John T O'Connor and Michael P Gleeson owned 14/1 chance scored under jockey Tiernan Power Roche. Held up towards rear in the early part of the contest, the seven-year-old moved closer into mid division after three out. Travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders after the penultimate flight, Give Him A Chance came through to head Catch The Beast on the run-in, keeping on well to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. “They are amazing owners and they sort of give me free rein,” said Rothwell. “I thought the handicapper had caught up on him and didn’t think he’d progress unless we’d be better back at two miles on heavy ground. That was my last roll of the dice. “I said to the lads after Christmas I’d freshen him up and wait for two miles on heavy ground. “I was planning on riding him reasonably positive but then Tiernan came out and said there was loads of pace in the race. “He gave him an unbelievably good ride today, he’s class and it’s great to have a stable jockey that’s able to ride like that. “He was flat out on good ground, he wasn’t a summer horse. I always felt that he’d improve on softer ground. “The horses are going well and it’s a credit to the staff at home, they are an amazing bunch of people. “Anthony Elliott has looked after this lad for the last few weeks. I sent him to ride him up around the farm and forestry to do different things with him. It’s definitely been a big help.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
