Foxrock (near side) clears the last alongside Sizing Gold© Photo Healy Racing
The Ted Walsh trained Foxrock effectively booked his Cheltenham ticket with a win in the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Steeplechase at Naas today, winning for owner Barry Connell and retained rider Danny Mullins.
The five runner three miler, run in testing ground, was always going to be a real test of stamina and entering the home straight, both Foxrock and Sizing Gold moved past early leader Rogue Angel Foxrock moved clear from the last for a seven lengths win over Sizing Gold.
Afterwards Walsh stated “he jumps and stays and if he stays sound we'll have plenty of fun with him.”
Winning owner Barry Connell added “the plan is to go for the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan next month and then the four miler at Cheltenham; I'd be happier to go there rather than the RSA Chase.
“He handles that ground well and is going the right way; Sizing Gold was jumping really well but our fella has an engine and kept moving up beside him. He's an exciting horse for the future and hopefully next year we can step him up into Grade 1 company.”
Paddy Power later cut Foxrock to 8/1 joint-favourite for the National Hunt Four Mile Chase at Cheltenham.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
