Stone-Walsh earns plaudits from O'Brien

Hotrocket surged past a duelling Spanish Tenor and Affogato to land the seven-furlong handicap at Gowran Park under Conor Stone-Walsh.

The four-year-old gelding really found his stride just outside the final furlong and motored past the aforementioned pair with 200 yards to travel.

The result wasn't in doubt as the 9/4 favourite readily moved two and a half lengths clear by the winning post.

Spanish Tenor filled the runner-up berth at 12/1 with Big Baby Bull in third at 6/1.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “He had a lovely run in Cork the last day (fourth) and got back on a bit of nice ground today,” said O'Brien.

“He quickened up well. He could go to Ascot for a handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes) or to the Curragh on Derby weekend.

“Conor is riding very well and is a big asset to us. 

"He had experience pony racing and from the first time he came to us it was very obvious he was a good rider. People are copping on to it now and he's getting plenty of rides which he deserves.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson