Rock dominant in Ballysax

Fascinating Rock ran out an authoritative winner of the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes, run for the first time at Navan.

Bringing up a double for the very much in form Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen alliance, the Fastnet Rock colt was travelling all over his rivals up the straight.

At the same time the market-leading Answered was having to be switched out to get a run from behind under Kevin Manning.

By the time he got into full flow Fascinating Rock was gone beyond recall and he crossed the line two and a half lengths to the good with 25/1 shot All Set To Go running a big race a short-head back in third.

Dermot Weld wasn't present following the death of his mother, Marguerite yesterday and after Stormfly s win in the second it was again left to Kris Weld to relate here: "He did it very well. It came up pretty quickly after he won nicely at Leopardstown.

"It was the obvious route to come with him and it's lovely to win it again.

"He travelled very well and he looked a winner a long way from home.

"We have no immediate plans as he'd had two quick runs. He'll have a little bit of a break and freshen up.

"Where we go now I don't know but he was entered in the Derby during the week.

"When you come here hoping for a performance you have to do those sort of things.

"We'll take it one step at a time and he's a lovely horse for the future.

"Better ground shouldn't be a problem. He's a big powerful horse and you'd like to think there's more improvement in him when he fills into his frame." (GC & EM)