Rockyaboya wins for owner Patrick Mullins as colourful racegoers watch on© Photo Healy Racing
Rockyaboya recorded back to back successes when running out a cosy winner of the Garlow Cross Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
It was a double on the card for master trainer Willie Mullins following the opening race victory of Call Me Bubbles
Patrick Mullins, riding his own horse, did the steering this time and tracked front-runner Liszt in the two-and-a-half mile event.
He took over going to the third last flight and was travelling best as his rivals came under pressure before the next.
The Rock Hopper gelding was asked for an effort after the final flight and stayed on strongly to post a comfortable three-and-a-half length victory. Brian Who won the battle for the runner-up spot.
The winner had, who had just held on to score at Punchestown last time, was easy to back opening 4/1 and returning 6/1 favourite.
“He sweated up very badly and he's what we call a hot horse,” said Mullins senior afterwards.
“Even at home he's like that although Patrick felt at the start that he might have boiled over too much.
“He'll probably go back over fences and will mix it between hurdles and chases.”
Patrick was interviewed afterwards regarding his Cheltenham bumper mount with three horses, Union Dues, Clondaw Court and Sizing Tennessee, among the possibles.
“They'll work next week before we decide but Clondaw Court is a horse I like a lot.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
