Alpha fails to crack Rock

China Rock bounced back from an odds-on defeat on his chasing bow at Gowran 23 days ago when he got the better of Alpha Ridge by a neck after a titanic tussle in the W.B. Gavin & Co. European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase.

The latter was in front when he made a mistake two out and he was soon headed by China Rock, travelling well under Niall 'Slippers' Madden. Alpha Ridge rallied gamely but he just failed to peg back the winner.

Winning trainer Mouse Morris said of his charge: "He is a Presenting so the ground probably made a difference (good to firm last time out). The first two are obviously good horses. He was probably in front a bit too soon there. He wasn't one hundred percent fit today but he will be after that. We have no immediate plans."

For Madden, this success on the formerly useful novice hurdler, was his second since returning from injury.