Wicklow trainer Philip Rothwell (22) achieved a career milestone on the concluding meeting of the year at Kilbeggan yesterday when he recorded his first double to bring his seasonal tally for the NH season to thirteen.
Shaiyran, unlucky at Ballinrobe last Sunday when unseating Norman Williamson at the final flight when holding a clear advantage, initiated the brace under Jason Titley at prohibitive odds of 1/3f before Palouse made all under Joe Casey in the novice hurdle.
'Along with seven of my horses who won this season, this fellow, along with Shaiyran, will be going out to grass tomorrow for a rest. They'll come back for the winter and I'd say the best trip for Palouse will be three miles next year,' Rothwell said, before he added, 'I'm absolutely thrilled. I've brought two horses to meetings before hoping of a double and at last I've broken the jinx.'
Helen Markham, who trains just two horses under permit in Grangecon, will also have fond memories of this meeting as she saddled her first winner when Master Bounce and Joey Elliott easily won the 2m6f maiden hurdle.
'I bought him five months ago from neighbour Willie Porter, who point-to pointed him over the winter. He finished 2nd between the flags but that's his first win. He'll go chasing soon,' said Ms Markham, daughter of Johnny Markham who played a pivotal role as travelling head lad in the great days of the Paddy Sleator era.
Isle Of Iona, the rank outsider of the field at 20/1, provided Curragh trainer Mark Roper with a welcome change of luck and Joe Casey with his second double of the week when holding on by a diminishing neck in the featured Max Premium Irish Dog Food Handicap Chase.
Before the meeting trainer Christy Roche looked to hold a strong hand with four fancied runners but he drew a blank with all four favourites culminating in the bumper when Galmorous Leader finished runner-up to Michael Cunningham's Glenbar and Gordon Elliott.
