Rothwell strikes again

Philip Rothwell continued his fine form when Boleybawn Quikstar struck under Ruby Walsh at Tramore yesterday.

The Heron Island gelding made virtually all in the maiden hurdle and responded gamely when challenged by Arasaris two out to record a length-and-a-half verdict.

"My brother, Ronan, did a lot of work with this horse," revealed Rothwell afterwards. The Wicklow handler also had news of Tuesday's impressive Tipperary winner Call Bewleys: "He has come out of the race well and will go to the November meeting at Cheltenham."

Walsh had less luck aboard 15 to 8 favourite Final Alert in the concluding handicap hurdle. Willie Mullins's charge lost considerable ground at the start and despite working his way into contention couldn't peg back Monahullan Prince.

Mullins had collected earlier with Sesanta, who showed a likeable attitude to prevail by half a length in the Flat maiden, getting the measure of Lilanda in the final furlong. "She's not big but is very strong," said Mullins.

"I think she is on the upgrade. It has taken all season for her to come right. I'm not sure if she'll go jumping."

Sister Phoebe showed terrific determination to battle back in the handicap chase. She looked booked for second when passed by Moody Lad approaching the second last but answered Davy Russell's urgings to get back on top at the last for a length-and-a-half success.

Adrian Maguire trains the winner for his wife Sabrina and said: "She wants good, fast ground and will stay going as long as the ground is right."

Hucklebuck is set to turn his attentions to jumping after getting off the mark on the level in the Waterford and Tramore Directors Handicap.

Wayne Lordan produced the gelding to lead at the furlong pole and he kept on strongly to deny long-time leader Backsideup by a length.

"He didn't handle the ground last time and it was much more to his liking today," said trainer Thomond O'Mara.

Bookie Park flashed home in the final furlong to get up and deny All Tied Up in the opening handicap. Charles O'Brien's charge found an extra gear on the run-in and went on to record a cosy length-and-a-quarter success under Fran Berry.

Nina Carberry again showed what an asset she is in bumpers when kicking on two furlongs out to score on warm order Description (evens favourite) for Roger McGrath.

n Macs Joy could return to action at Galway later this month after bypassing an intended outing on the Flat at Navan.

Trainer Jessica Harrington had been eyeing a two-mile maiden at the track on Wednesday for the eight-year-old, who has not run since finishing second in a Punchestown Grade One in April.

However, Harrington sidestepped that event after deciding the ground was unsuitable and she is hoping for a little rain before the end of the month.

"The ground was a bit too firm," she explained. "There's a possibility of a race for him at Galway over a mile and six furlongs at the end of the month."