Runyon Rattler comes home an easy winner under Johnny Kinsella© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Kinsella recorded his first track winner as he partnered Runyon Rattler to an easy win in the bumper at Kilbeggan, the www.kilbegganraces.com Flat Race.
The Philip Rothwell trained five-year-old finished a good third to Rogue Trader in a bumper at Navan in November and he opened at 6/1 last night.
He proved friendless with punters today and went off an 11/1 chance in the colours of Joan Lambert.
Settled towards rear he was sixth with a circuit to race and he improved into second five furlongs from home. He hit the front under three furlongs out and soon stretched clear, going on to win easily by thirty-one lengths. Whiskey No Ice was sent off the even money favourite and he finished second under Steven Clements for Shay Barry while Zagelle (5/1) was a further six lengths back in third under David Roche for Henry De Bromhead.
Philip Rothwell, who was recording his first winner since January, said afterwards: "I'm delighted. I've had 15 brilliant years training racehorses but last year I had an atrocious bad year.
"Everybody stuck by me and thankfully the horses are back in good form.
"Johnny (Kinsella) has been working for me for the past year. He's a nice lad and a really good rider.
"I'll have eight or nine for point-to-points next year and he'll ride them all. Hopefully we can get him on a few more bumper horses as well.
"This horse was owned by Brian Redmond on his last run but I asked him to sell him to Joan Lambert to stay in the yard.
"We've replaced him with a nice young horse so hopefully it works out for everyone."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
