Foxrock enhances Cheltenham prospects

The Ted Walsh trained Foxrock maintained his upward curve over fences at Navan today and comfortably paid for a prospective trip to Cheltenham next month when winning the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase, completing doubles for owner Barry Connell and his retained jockey Danny Mullins.

The son of Flemensfirth rallied gamely on the run-in for a half length and neck win over My Murphy and Clar Na Mionn doubling both Mullins and Connell's scores for the day, having earlier won the opener with Inis Meain

Walsh later reported “he did what I thought he might do and always seems to pull out a little bit. He was slower over the last than the other two (runner-up My Murphy and third placed Clar Na Mionn) but he finds a bit when you give him a dig and he won well at the line.

“Danny rides a bit more like Flat-style than jumping lads who like to put a race to bed and win by two or three lengths but he said he had a bit left.

“He's a grand horse and is going the right direction and if he stays sound and healthy, there'll be more nice pots to win with him.

“We'll see how he is in three weeks and that'll be time enough to make up our minds about running at Cheltenham but it's where Barry (Connell) would like to go.

“As he improves over the summer, he could be a nice three miler next year and he's already come a long way since winning a point-to-point last October.”

Boylesports later cut Foxrock to 5/1, from 6s, for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson