Rock completes double for Lyons/Murtagh

Ger Lyons and Johnny Murtagh, successful half-an-hour earlier with Printmaker doubled up with another well-backed winner when Casbah Rock lost his maiden tag in the extended 1m2f handicap.

The lightly-raced five-year-old, 9/1 this morning and supported on track from 6/1 down to 4/1 favourite, travelled sweetly for Murtagh but gave supporters some concern when jinking right about a furlong out.

The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding did keep on under pressure from that point to beat Five Two (14/1) by half a length with Hassanali (9/2) the same distance away in third. The placings were confirmed following a stewards enquiry.

Ger Lyons said: “Its rare I keep a horse this long but he's always promised to do something. I think he's a bit better than that grade, and the cheekpieces did the trick. He could do a job over jumps.”