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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Rothwell on a roll

Sun 13th Aug 2023, 17:50

Robindevidastar Robindevidastar
© Photo Healy Racing

The winners keep coming for Philip Rothwell and Robindevidastar (9/1) was another for the Tinahely handler in the Shortcross Irish Whiskey Handicap Hurdle.

Having led from the start under Paddy O'Hanlon, the eight-year-old looked in trouble when headed after the last and briefly dropped to third before rallying well to foil Roman Parish by a head. Less than three lengths covered the first five home.

It was a second success for Mrs Philomena Shanahan's gelding, a winner at Punchestown in 2021, and it was a third winner of the week for the in-form trainer.

Philip Rothwell said: "He has been disappointing, he won a handicap for me last year and just lost his way hence the blinkers and make the running.

"We ran him over a shorter distance here and he didn't get his own way and was bustled back in a messy race.

"John and Philomena (Shanahan) have been mega patient because most people would quit with a few of his runs. I didn't know why he wasn't performing as well as he was working.

"I felt coming up here today that there wasn't a huge amount of pace and it was an opportunity for him.

"The horses are flying and are in good form, we had a winner yesterday as well. That is 11 winners for the season and about 30 placed horses.

"We have a small team but I have an exceptional staff and exceptional owners and it is making life very easy.

"There is a huge team effort going in at home. When you walk into the yard in the morning, you wouldn't like to be anywhere else in the world."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.