PHILIP Rothwell got the rub of the green at Cork on Saturday where the trainer ended a frustrating spell to record a double, with Starzov and Weihnachts.

Wicklow-based Rothwell began by winning the McCarthy Plant & Agri Rated Novice Hurdle with Starzov (9/2) who was produced by jockey Paddy O’Hanlon to lead at the last and scored by four lengths from Viceregent.

Rothwell revealed: “I had a mare run out through a wing at Limerick about six weeks before Christmas when she was clear and that seemed to be the start of carnage and we had nine seconds up to Christmas.

“It just wasn’t happening so it is great to get a winner again,.

“He (Starzov) was going really well when he fell in Thurles the last day and his form has been very consistent. His owner James Guilfoyle is super, he has been a great supporter of mine and we have been awfully lucky together.”

Two hours and 20 minutes later Rothwell completed his double as Weihnachts caused an 18/1 upset to score for owner J.P. McManus.

Ridden by Simon Torrens, the son of Beat Hollow was held up in rear before gradually making his way to lead at the last and beat runner-up Ballyadam Destiny by a length and three parts.

“He won two chases and I suppose he crept up the ratings and struggled a bit,” Rothwell said. “He loves the muck and Simon has a great understanding for him.

“It might be wrong to have favourites but I get a great kick out of getting a winner in those colours. J.P. and his family have been hugely supportive of me in the last few years - I only have one or two for them but they are very good to me and I really appreciate it.”

Walk In The Brise for Mullins who scores an easy double in Mallow

CHAMPION Trainer Willie Mullins was another to record a double, beginning with the Paul Townend-partnered Walk In The Brise (11/8 favourite), for owners Syders & Burkes Partnership, in the ITM Stallion Trail 13-14 January Maiden Hurdle.

The mare won easily by 13 lengths from Japers Jack and Townend later said: “She handled the ground surprisingly well and having had a couple of recent runs, was fit. It was very straightforward, she jumped like a buck and she is very honest.

“The fact she handled today’s ground will open more doors to her.”

Fancy Girl (8/11 favourite) completed Mullins’ double in the concluding Irish EBF (Mares) Bumper, providing his son Patrick Mullins with a rare winner in the Creighton Family’s Hurricane Fly colours.

A point-to-point winner for Cormac Doyle last March, the daughter of Champs Elysees showed plenty of pace in winning today’s race from Ascending Lark.

Patrick Mullins said: “She is a big, beautiful mare who loved that soft ground.

“She has a real long stride on her, picked up well and you’d like to think she is one for those listed bumpers in the spring.

“I’d imagine we’ll look to the mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival as that meeting can be on the soft side sometimes,” the rider added.

Max is back to winning ways

THE most valuable event was the €22,000 Racing Again March 23rd Handicap Hurdle, which was won by the Sean Doyle-trained, Donnchadh Doyle-owned Lucky Max (15/8 favourite), under jockey Rob James.

The German-bred gelding scored readily from Takerengo and the winning owner later reported: “His last couple of runs in Grade B handicaps were very good and we were hoping he’d do that today. He went through the ground lovely and Rob gave him a lovely ride and he jumped super. “We’ll have a look at the calendar and see what’s coming up in the next few weeks.”

Racing began with a Mullins-trained hotpot, French import Alastor (1/4f) getting over-turned in the Happy New Year From All At Cork Maiden Hurdle, as 20/1 chance Action Motion caused an upset for trainer Denis Hogan and jockey Daniel King.

Alastor, also carrying the Creighton Family silks, made a final fence mistake which handed the initiative to Action Motion, which scored by a half-length.

Hogan said: “He had a lovely run here the last day and while I didn’t think we’d beat the favourite, I was hoping he’d be in the first three or four. We knew he had come on from his last run and he has the makings of a nice juvenile hurdler.

“He is still my own, is still in the shop window and I had a few lads looking at him so hopefully he will stay with me. We’ll see where we are at and while I’m not sure how strong the race was if you take out the favourite, he could be a Boodles type.”

Wexford-based hotelier and trainer Seamus Neville concluded 2022 with a New Year’s Eve winner at Punchestown and bagged another with Joy Of Life (4/1), in the Quays Bar And The Stables Bar Beginners Chase. Winning jockey J.J. Slevin reported: “Seamus’ team are in right form and he’s having a right good year and I’m lucky to get the call up.

“Sean O’Keeffe said to put the cheekpieces on him after the last run and he probably needed them. The horses are good and fit and he stuck it out well to the line.”