< In The Haven was made to work hard to justify odds-on favouritism in the INH Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick, the second leg of a double on the card for Philip Rothwell.
The five-year-old was sent off the 4-5 market-leader having finished second on his last two starts and travelled well under Davy Russell for much of the contest.
His supporters must have been sweating when Port La Chaine threw down a challenge inside the final furlong but In The Haven managed to find more to score by a neck.
Rothwell said: "We'll go the handicap road with him, he is entered in one on New Year's Eve at Punchestown."
His stablemate Lock Mor Lad landed a gamble in the opening Brennan Construction Handicap Hurdle.
Rothwell's charge had shown little on his previous five starts over obstacles but having been as big as 20-1 in the morning, he was backed into 11-2 before the off.
He was sent straight into a substantial lead by Shane Jackson and although his rivals began to make inroads in the back straight, Lock Mor Lad kicked away again turning for home and passed the post seven lengths clear of Master'n Commander
"We ran him over two-six here the last day, we rode him handy and he didn't get home. I thought he was a huge price this morning at 20s and I'm just delighted for the lads," Rothwell added.
In similar style Arondo (7-1) made every post a winning one in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, keeping up the gallop throughout the two-mile-two furlongs contest to score by nine lengths.
The Willie Mullins-trained Cru was sent off favourite for the Irish Racing Annual Beginners Chase, but he had to settle for fourth as his stablemate Derrymore Dawn gave Emmet Mullins his third victory in the professional ranks.
The trainer completed a double when Morning Supreme (evens favourite) won the Downpatrick INH Flat Race.
"I didn't see the firs one win as I got held-up, my secretary was out sick and I had to do all of the entries myself."
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