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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Rothwell on the mark with 20/1 outsider

Sat 9th Nov 2019, 15:17

Fiveaftermidnight with Philip Rothwell and jockey Sean O'Keeffe won for Fiveaftermidnight with Philip Rothwell and jockey Sean O'Keeffe won for
© Photo Healy Racing

Fiveaftermidnight caused a 20/1 upset when winning the Punctual Print Novice Handicap Chase at Naas today as the Philip Rothwell trained mare arrived with a strong late challenge to win under jockey Sean O'Keeffe.

The six year old mare was second-last of 13 to complete a 2m6f handicap chase at Punchestown handicap chase 25 days ago but today, in first-time cheek-pieces, returned in much better form.

Eventual runner-up Hilltop Supreme looked very likely to win having jumped the last in front but Fiveaftermidnight finished well to eventually lead close home and power to a three and three parts of a length win.

Cheltenham festival winning trainer Rothwell later explained “she won a maiden hurdle back in the summer and then had disappointed us a few times. She lost her confidence over fences and Annette that rides her out at home and looks after her has done a super job. We’ve done a good bit of schooling over hurdles with her just to get her confidence back.

“The plan was to ride her handy coming here today and then when I thought there was so much pace in the race I said to Sean going out to take your time and try and get a little bit of confidence and get her coming home well.

“That might get her into some of the good mares’ handicap chases later in the year.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.