Queally dreaming of Stayers glory with Rocky's

The ‘dream is alive’ with Rocky’s Diamond as Declan Queally’s charge puts the final touches to his preparations ahead of the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in just over two weeks time.

He is a 16/1 shot for the three-miler at the festival after victory in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month.

The lightly-raced Altruistic gelding was making just his sixth career outing then and Queally knows the championship event poses a big test for the young horse.

“He did a piece of work on Saturday and he’s fresh and well,” said Queally.

“He’s only five and looks like he’s grown a bit again and got stronger. It will be a big challenge for a five-year-old horse going over there. It’s a colosseum type environment and it will be all new to him but he’s a cool customer.

“He owes us nothing and as long as he comes back in one piece is the main thing to me as we’re looking forward to next season.

“If he could run into a place that would be great and if he was to win that would be dream stuff. The dream is alive and we’re looking forward to going over there.”

Queally is also set to be represented by Rocky’s Howya at Cheltenham.

The Ask gelding was fourth in the St James’s Place Challenge Cup Hunter Chase two years ago and warmed up for a return to Prestbury Park by winning his ninth point-to-point at Cragmore last month.

Queally said:- “He was fourth there two years ago and then he got an injury.

“He was second to Winged Leader in his first run back after a year-and-a-half and doesn’t like running right-handed but finished fourth behind Con’s Roc in the hunter chase at Limerick.

“I rode him at Cragmore and he beat Terence(O’Brien)’s horse that beat him in Limerick.

“He was champion pointer two years ago and was fourth at Cheltenham.

“Cheltenham has been the aim since the start of the season and we’ve kept him that bit fresher by not running as much.

“We think he’s in a good place heading over. Obviously it’s going to be very competitive but he should be in the shake up and hopefully he’ll hit a place.”

(Alan Magee)