Rockanrye, far side, about to touch down on the run-in© Photo Healy Racing
Rockanrye got a lovely run along the inner to unleash a winning challenge in the mares' maiden hurdle at Killarney.
The whole complexion of the race changed when La Prima Donna was withdrawn due to the change in going.
Rockanrye went off at 9/2 and was delivered between the final two flights by Mark McDonagh. The pair hit the front at the last and stayed on best to score by a length and a half at 9/2, backed in from 7/1. What An Ocean put in good late work to get up for second at 7/2 from Shannon Glory (22/1).
Trainer Sean O'Brien said: "She did it very well and I fancied her as her run in Cork was a good run. She wasn't a bumper mare but ran very well on ground that was a bit dead and the nicer ground over a longer trip suited better today.
"She did it very well and Mark gave her a lovely ride and his 7lb claim was a big, big help.
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"We came down thinking if we came into the prize money we'd be happy but when La Prima Donna (withdrawn morning favourite) came out, it levelled the playing field and my one brought her 'A' game.
"Ciaran Fennessy won two point-to-points with her and she came to me in great shape. The person that owns her Patsy Murphy, from the north, said he wanted a summer mare and would like to go to Killarney. The plan came off and she will keep going for the summer."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
