Foley savours first success on impressive Rock Chica

Rock Chica ran her rivals ragged in the 3YO fillies' maiden hurdle at Tipperary to give jockey Jack Foley his first victory.

Tom Mullins' 7/1 chance jumped well and was almost on terms with Half Of Seven at the fourth last.

She assumed the lead before the next flight and, although she made a mistake there, she travelled well with three furlongs left to travel.

The Rock Of Gibraltar filly increased the advantage two out and a good jump saw her move clear racing to the last.

Her rivals were toiling as she strode home by a whopping 26 lengths from Zoom Zoom Babe (2/1).

Jack Foley said: "I've had one winner point-to-pointing last November for James Doyle and I did plenty of work with him and am with Tom (Mullins) now and hope to go conditional. I've done the course and hope to turn in the next couple of weeks.

"I can do those weights (10st2lbs) no problem and fair dues to Tom for putting me up and he is very good to me. If anyone wants me I'll go anywhere, there'll be no bother.

"I'm 21, from Callan and live beside Tom and my family are big into show-jumping.

"She (Rock Chica) had the experience of a good run over hurdles at Punchestown and just took a while to warm into that. She made a mistake three out but as soon as I gave her a squeeze she grabbed hold of the bit; I didn't know I was as far clear going to the last and she is a good mare and jumping is her game."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes