Rothwell following friends as Scallan points out The Moon Supported outsider Chase The Moon (50/1 — 18s) overturned 2/7 favourite Tim Toe in landing Gowran’s PRL Group Maiden Hurdle today, with winning trainer Philip Rothwell crediting friend Mark Scallan for the success. The Sea Moon-sired gelding was beaten when falling at the final fence in a Monksgrange point-to-point last March and today debuted for the trainer, owner David L’Estrange and jockey Tiernan Power Roche . Chase The Moon today raced keen and green and while seemingly held in sixth-place at the second-last, quickened by left-leaning Tim Toe on the run-in, to secure a comfortable win. Likealightswitch finished third while Jacko Star caught the eye finishing fourth. Rothwell, with his 19th win this term, reported “one of my best friends Mark Scallan had him point-to-pointing and recommended him strongly. I’m trying to buy horses that are not obvious, I’m trusting what my friends are telling me and it’s working out well.” He added “he’s not this year’s horse and is for jumping a fence in a year’s time. He’s only four and is 17 hands. “He loved the soft ground and stayed going well. He did things wrong, so there is a lot of improvement to come from him but there needs to be. We need to find a good horse somewhere and we have a few nice four-year-olds this year. “It’s great to have the support of the likes of David (L’Estrange, owner). It’s massive.” Quotes from Alan Magee
