Rothwell and Power Roche at double with Johnny Cakes Johnny Cakes (10/3) won a duel with One And Only in Division 2 of the extended two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown to bring up a double for Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power Roche. The horses were locked together just before the last and on the run-in, however Johnny Cakes got the better of his adversary in the closing stages. Power Roche sent him onto win by four and a-quarter lengths from the 9/2 runner-up who could give no more. King In Love completed the placings in third at 12/1. Rothwell said: "He has a great bunch of owners. It’s a partnership that I put together between a few guys I know and met. It’s their first winner as a partnership. “I thought he’d run well in Clonmel, but I’d say he got away with murder at home over Christmas. “He races a bit lazy and we figured that out in Clonmel the last day and changed his training regime a little bit. I think it’s made a big difference. “Tiernan is a free 5lb and it’s great to have him on side. I hope he feels the same and it’s good to be part of our team. “The team of staff that I have at home at the moment are second to none, I have the most amazing bunch of people around me and I’m very fortunate. Tiernan is fortunate to have them around him too, and him and I are in a good place. “The horses have been running very consistently for four years. We mightn’t have a good horse, but the horses are running very consistently. “We are trying to build and find a better type of horse and get our level of quality up a little bit. It’s a slow burner and hard work, but I feel that we are getting there.” Rothwell and Power Roche also took the first split of this handicap hurdle with Without Exception. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
