El Champo makes the running in Galway© Photo Healy Racing
El Champo was resolute off the front in Race In Pink Handicap Hurdle for four-year-olds plus rated up to 130 in Galway.
He appeared vulnerable to the 3/1 favourite Barnacullia (rated 17lb lower over flights than fences) who closed up on him in second approaching the penultimate flight.
However, Paddy O'Hanlon kept trucking on El Champo who made the best way home. Barnacullia couldn't get close enough to launch his attack and he gave best in the closing stages.
El Champo wasn;t quite home yet, though, as the closers Theonewedreamof and Ted Hastings thrust late but the leader held on by half a length.
Theonewedreamof (12/1) finished second with Ted Hastings (11/1) a neck back in third as Barnacullia dropped to fourth.
Philip Rothwell said: "I thought this was the ideal race for him after going up (in the weights) having won over 2m3f on soft ground the last day.
"He was back in trip, but I wanted to let him roll on and Paddy (O'Hanlon) is so good at making the running. He was left to dictate and around here that suits and his jumping was better today.
"In Ireland where do you find an ordinary race? That could be his final handicap hurdle as such as he got beaten previously off 98. Maybe I was a bad trainer, but we're stepping up and up now and he'll probably go chasing at some stage."
The trainer also confirmed that his owners are to appeal Rockbrook's demotion to second in Limerick Saturday week ago.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
