Nick Rockett, ridden by Paul Townend, delivered a powerful performance to win the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. The victory was particularly emotional for owner Stewart Andrew, as the horse was named in memory of his late wife Sadie, who tragically passed away in 2022.
Nick Rockett delivered a poignant victory in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park . The eight-year-old, representing Willie Mullins , was one of five runners from the stable in the 18-horse field for the three-mile-one-furlong Grade Three contest. Nick Rockett , ridden by Paul Townend , was the 9-2 joint-favourite alongside Gavin Cromwell's Yeah Man, bidding for a 10th victory in the race for the Closutton stable.
Townend adopted a wide line throughout the race, while Velvet Elvis, trained by Cromwell, appeared to hold momentum entering the straight. As the race approached its climax, the two horses jumped the penultimate fence in unison before Nick Rockett edged ahead on the final approach, a lead he extended powerfully to the line, winning by two and a quarter lengths. The victory significantly impacted Nick Rockett's odds for both the Grand National and the Ultima at Cheltenham. Betfair trimmed his Grand National odds from 33-1 to 20-1, and his Ultima odds from 25-1 to 16-1. The horse, owned by Stewart and Sadie Andrew, added emotional weight to the victory. Sadie Andrew, a local from Goresbridge, sadly passed away in December 2022, just five days after Nick Rockett made his bumper debut for his new owners. The win provided immense comfort to her husband, Stewart, who said: 'Sadie was a local lass from Goresbridge, but sadly died in December 2022. She got to see him run in his first bumper just five days before she passed away. This horse has been a fantastic servant and to win here means so much more. It gives me an inner feeling of consolation as it's what Sadie always wanted. It would be great to have a runner in the Grand National. He's honest, he jumps well and he stays so that's all you can ask for in a National horse.'Mullins echoed the sentiment, stating: 'There will be great celebrations in the area tonight as Sadie's family are all from around here. It was a tremendous performance. For me today was the day. You might get a chance to win one big handicap with a horse in a season and what a race to win. We'll probably look towards a National, whether it be an Irish or Aintree. When we were growing up the Thyestes was always a National trial. The weights used to come out before the Thyestes that time.' Townend added his delight for Stewart and his confidence in the horse, saying: 'It has been a lucky race for me and I'm just delighted for Stewart. He has been patient with this horse and I'm glad I stuck with him because I thought there was a big day in him and he has provided me with one today.' Earlier in the day, Rocky's Diamond, trained by Declan Queally and ridden by Shane Fitzgerald, impressed with a dominant performance in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle. The five-year-old, having finished third in the Grade One Savills Hurdle at Christmas, was a 5-1 favorite in the nine-horse field. He showcased his prowess throughout the three-mile trip, taking the lead in the closing stages and holding off challenger Thedevilscoachman by a length and a quarter. This victory significantly boosted Rocky's Diamond's Stayers' Hurdle odds, shortening from 50-1 to 16-1 with Betfair
Nick Rockett Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase Gowran Park Paul Townend Willie Mullins Stewart Andrew Sadie Andrew Grand National Cheltenham Festival Stayers' Hurdle Rocky's Diamond Declan Queally Shane Fitzgerald
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