Late scare but Maguire's Rockers prevails

The Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase saw Finny Maguire team up with his parents Two Rockers for the first time. As the 4/6 favourite in the finale at Thurles, Two Rockers justified his market position, but not before giving his connections and backers a final fence scare.

Two Rockers was always looking good up on the gallop, and the staying on Carrigeen Acebo and the final two fences were the principal concerns up the straight.

The victorious Milan gelding pecked at the last and seemingly opened the door for Carrigeen Acebo.

However Two Rockers quickly put his seal on the extended three miler when asked by Maguire, and he obliged at the finish by four and a half lengths from Carrigeen Acebo.

They left Anseanachai Cliste all of forty three lengths back in third.

Adrian Maguire has care of Two Rockers for his wife Sabrina, and the County Cork-based handler said: "He jumped well and got a great ride, but both horse and jockey fell asleep on the ground in the straight. He quickened and picked up well after the last though and is a good horse.

"If everything is alright, he'll run at Leopardstown next and we'll see what he does after that.

"I'm delighted with the win as I had my appendix out last week and wasn't around to help out in all the bad weather."

The Stewards fined Lady Jane Gillespie, trainer of Faith Keeper, €350, as the passport was not lodged in time for this horse, which resulted in the horse being withdrawn from this race.

(TW & EM)