"The show back on the road" for Rocket Lad

It was nephews before uncle in race three at Gowran as Rocket Lad for Emmet and David Mullins beat Drury for Willie Mullins.

Still in with every chance when falling at the last on his hurdles debut at Killarney last month, there was no such problems for Rocket Lad (also owned by the trainer, with Paul Byrne) this time. Run Wild Fred (13/8) was in trouble from before the straight as the mare Drury emerged as the threat to the all-the-way victor.

However Rocket Lad left that Paul Townend-ridden chestnut in his wake from before the final flight.

Five and a half lengths separated them at the line whilst the aforementioned Run Wild Fred ended up fourteen lengths back in third.

He’s now obviously not eligible for the bumper he was declared in at Tipperary tomorrow and Emmet Mullins said on Rocket Lad: “It was good to get the show back on the road after the fall last time.

"We’ve always had huge faith in him and we’ll kick start a novice hurdle campaign and see where we can get to.

“It was plenty soft enough when he won his bumper at Galway so I can’t see winter conditions being any problem for him. He was declared for the bumper at Tipperary tomorrow just in case something went awry.

“I haven’t really looked at where we’ll go but off the top of my head he could go for a three-mile Graded novice at Cork.”

(AM & EM)