PHILIP Rothwell went home 50 grand richer from Kilbeggan last Friday night after securing the trainer’s title in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series. The victory of Mistyburn in the three-mile handicap hurdle on the card put the cherry on top for the Tinahely handler.

There was a slice of good luck for the 22/1 shot, who was left in front by the last flight exit of Dolly Watkins. He went on to beat stablemate Plain Or Battered by a length and a quarter, under title chaser Darragh O’Keeffe.

“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,” said Rothwell.

“It’s wonderful for the owners (Nice Little Earner Syndicate), they are a great bunch of guys. Winning the series is huge. It’s lovely winning my own prize, but it would be fabulous if we could win the stable staff one as well.”

The stable staff prize did in fact go to the team at Fairwood Stables, as they collected a cheque for €10,000.

Top of the table

Jack Kennedy had earlier cemented his place at the top of the jockeys’ title race with a double for boss Gordon Elliott. Master Haku went to post a 4/11 shot in the opening Aguiar Racing Maiden Hurdle and duly collected.

The Masked Marvel gelding was soon in front in the two-miler and repelled the challenge of The Store Boy from the last to record a two-and-a-quarter-length win for owner Kevin Cooke. “To be honest, I wasn’t even that keen to run him only for the fact that Jack is going for the championship,” said Elliott.

“He had two nice runs, but pulled a muscle behind and that’s why we ended up missing so much time with him. I think there will be plenty of improvement. I might give him the month of May off and then see how we go.”

Chanceawetmorning made a winning start for the yard when running out a comprehensive winner of the following handicap hurdle. Kennedy was prominent throughout on the 5/4 favourite and he went on after the second last to record a seven-and-a-half length success.

“He had done a couple of nice bits of work with us, so we were happy with what he was showing us,” said Elliott.

“I think he probably needs further, but we said we’d take a chance over two miles today.”

NOEL Kelly pulled off a good old-fashioned gamble with Fort Randall in the first division of the William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle over two miles three.

The Valirann gelding went to post 2/1 favourite having been 14/1 in the morning and was prominent throughout. Oran McGill sent his mount clear from the penultimate flight for an eight-and-a-half-length success.

Fort Randall was making his first outing since January 2025 and Kelly said afterwards: “We took him to Down Royal on March 17th last year and, whatever he did in the horsebox coming down the road, he knocked himself.

“It took us about six months to get him right. No vet could tell us what was wrong with him. He was ready to run for the past three or four weeks, but there was nothing really coming up to suit him and the ground was too heavy.”

The second division of the contest also saw a convincing winner as Oliver McKiernan’s Chemdawg made all for a six-length success. Phillip Enright asked the 5/1 shot for an effort turning for home and she stuck on well to gain an overdue win over hurdles.

“We ran her the last day in Limerick and she was out in front most of the way. She probably went quicker than she went today,” said McKiernan.

“He just gave her a few breathers today and it helped to get her home. She was starting to tire a bit coming to the line, but it worked out well for her.”

SUPERSUNDAE (11/4) put on a fine display of jumping to open his account over fences in the William Hill Challenge Series Beginners Chase.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding proved a different class from his rivals as he made all for an easy 17-length success under Brian Hayes.

Hayes said: “He just jumped so well that he was getting lengths at every fence. It was a big drop in class from what he was running in on his last two runs.”

In the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase, Tell Nobody Nothin came with a strong surge on the run-in to land the spoils under Donagh Meyler, at 5/1.

The Noel Meade-trained gelding collared Iamagetaway in the last 100 yards and went on to score by four lengths from Harbour Highway.

“The race kind of fell apart in front of him, which was a help, but he did find plenty today which was strange,” said Meade.

“Maybe he’ll come good for us now. Obviously he belonged to Paul (Hunt) who is gone, and he bred him. Patricia and the family own him now, there is only him and Layfayette left.”

Traynor scores first bumper win

Templepatrick-based trainer Paul Traynor saddled his first bumper winner when Kershaw repelled the late challenge of Lultimatom in the finale.

The Success Days gelding led with over three furlongs to run in the two-miler and found plenty for Oran McGill close home to record a neck victory at 11/2. It was a double on the card for the talented amateur.

Traynor said afterwards: “I’m delighted to get my first bumper winner. I’ve had this horse since he was a foal. I bought him off John Kidd, he was a gorgeous foal.

“He’s in my own colours and there were a lot of boys interested in him after his point-to-point. If the price is right, we might sell him.”