Rock back on track with fifth win

Cassells Rock overcame a three months break to record his fifth career win in the Nick Coen Lifetime In Racing Handicap at Leopardstown.

The dual-purpose gelding, available at 18/1 earlier in the day and sent off at 12/1, led well inside the final furlong under Shane Foley to score by a length and three quarters. Grand Partner could find no extra in the final 100 yards finishing a length and three quarters back in second, with Petuna two and a half lengths further away in third.

Martin said, “He got a cut on a joint and the wound kept opening up. We had to give him some time off and he’s been a bit of an unlucky horse overall.

“He’s just not big enough for fences but has been doing it over hurdles and on the Flat. He will continue to mix it.”

Nick Coen was a friendly and familiar face outside the weighroom at Leopardstown until his untimely death earlier this year at just 33.

Coen, who lived locally in Cabinteely, was an honorary member at Leopardstown, and a bench dedicated to his memory was unveiled in the parade ring this evening with his family in attendance.