Rothwell consolidates lead in William Hill Challenge Series with 1-2 in R5 at Kilbeggan Mistyburn (22/1) was left in front at the final flight to win the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle over an extended three-miles in Kilbeggan. Dolly Watkins had come through to lead just before the last from Mistyburn and long-time-leader Anodandawink, but she got that flight all wrong and departed, slightly hampering Anodandawink, as Mistyburn and Darragh O'Keeffe took full advantage. The new leader kept on to see it out by a length and a-quarter from Plain Or Battered who made late gains in second at 25/1. Anodandawink tired in third at 14/1 while Dalmatic completed the placings in fourth at 16/1. Philip Rothwell, who saddled a 1-2, said: “I’m thrilled. Darragh and I would be very good friends, we don’t get him as often now as we have our own people at home. I’m delighted to support him and try and get him a winner or two. “It’s wonderful for the owners (Nice Little Earner Syndicate), they are a great bunch of guys. He ran a nice race in Cork the last day. “I said to Darragh that he was probably a big horse for around here and to take his time and sneak away. He’s class. “Tiernan (Power Roche) gave the other horse (Plain Or Battered) a very good ride to finish second as well, he stayed going really well. “I didn’t think either horse would handle the track but, with the night that’s in it (leading the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series), we had to give it a good go. It’s marvellous that it’s paid off. “Winning the series is huge and that helps with the stable staff prize as well. I know Gavin (Cromwell) is chasing us hard for that. “It’s lovely winning my own prize, but it would be fabulous if we could win the stable staff one as well.” The William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series concludes in Kilbeggan this evening. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
