Rolling Rocket, right, battles out the finish with Shanroe Society© Photo Healy Racing
Rolling Rocket and Shanroe Society pulled clear from the second last in the two mile handicap hurdle at Navan, with the former prevailing after a good battle on the run-in.
Three runs in maiden hurdles had yielded a best-placed finish of seventh for Rolling Rocket, trained by Stephen Ryan.
However, the son of Turtle Island seemed to appreciate encountering better ground today. Robbie Moran kept him up to the job after the last as they got on top of Shanroe Society by a neck.
20/1 was the winning return, but those who played on the Tote got 69.5/1. The runner-up was 7/1. The gamble of the race was Martin Cash – 9/1 this morning down to 5/1 favourite on the off – and he landed the place part of the gamble when taking third a further eight and a half lengths back under Adrian Heskin.
“It was a bit of a learning curve coming here today regarding the ground,” successful trainer Stephen Ryan said.
“But he’s a lovely mover and handled it well. I’d say he’ll stay a bit further and its great for John (Kearney) to have a winner here as he’s from not too far away in Trim.”
There was also money this morning for College Boy (eighth) and Second Glance (11th).
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
