O'Brien eyes Cheltenham for Con's Roc

Con's Roc made a winning transition to the racecourse in Limerick's maiden hunters chase.

He was always in the front rank, but had to attempt to reel in Willitgoahead who went for home before the last fence in this extended 2m6f contest.

Both jumped it well, but Con's Roc got to grips with his rival on the run-in and, once he had his measure, finished strongly in the closing stages for Darragh Allen to open up by three and three-quarter lengths.

The winner was returned at 6/1 from the 7/2 runner-up. West Of Carrig was a real market springer from 40/1 to 11/1 and brought up a place dividend for his supporters in third, beaten more than eight lengths by the victor.

Terence O'Brien said: "He was hard to keep sound and, in fairness, the syndicate (Near Or Never Syndicate) were patient as he was supposed to run in Tipperary last May, but I felt the ground was iffy so didn't run.

"That was a hard one to take, but they were fine about it and he was due to run in Fairyhouse last month but the ground was again too good so we came here.

"I didn't expect Rocky's Howya (fourth) to show up, so I thought if we finished close to him, we'd be delighted. Obviously Sean Doyle's horse (runner-up Willitgoahead) looks to be decent as well, but our fella had won his point to point really impressively last year.

"Ideally, we'd love to think we could end up in Cheltenham and he'll have one run before then and hope to get him in.

"The syndicate are all Kilworth and Araglin people and are good supporters, so it is great to get a win."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes