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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Stone-Walsh earns plaudits from O'Brien

Mon 5th Jun 2023, 18:37

Hotrocket moves clear in the closing stagesHotrocket moves clear in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing

Hotrocket surged past a duelling Spanish Tenor and Affogato to land the seven-furlong handicap at Gowran Park under Conor Stone-Walsh.

The four-year-old gelding really found his stride just outside the final furlong and motored past the aforementioned pair with 200 yards to travel.

The result wasn't in doubt as the 9/4 favourite readily moved two and a half lengths clear by the winning post.

Spanish Tenor filled the runner-up berth at 12/1 with Big Baby Bull in third at 6/1.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “He had a lovely run in Cork the last day (fourth) and got back on a bit of nice ground today,” said O'Brien.

“He quickened up well. He could go to Ascot for a handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes) or to the Curragh on Derby weekend.

“Conor is riding very well and is a big asset to us. 

"He had experience pony racing and from the first time he came to us it was very obvious he was a good rider. People are copping on to it now and he's getting plenty of rides which he deserves.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.20
2nd
2.5L
12/1
€2.70
3rd
1L
6/1
€2.00
4th
0.5L
9/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.