Hotrocket completes a treble on the day for Joseph O'Brien

Joseph O’Brien, successful twice at Dundalk this afternoon, completed a treble on the day as Hotrocket justified favouritism in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Handicap.

The Starspangledbanner gelding won a maiden here last year for John Murphy before being snapped up by current connections for 68,000 guineas and was following up a Gowran win last month off a 9lb higher mark.

The 7/4 chance challenged between horses over a furlong out and got on top in the final 100 yards under Conor Stone-Walsh to beat Big Baby Bull by three quarters of a length. Lexington Dash was a further length and a half away in third.

Stone-Walsh said, “He broke well, I got into a lovely spot and was able to travel away into it.

“Turning in I was just waiting for room and thankfully when you’re going well enough you can make your own room and he hit the line well.

“He probably doesn’t do a lot when he gets to the front and is a lazy sort at home. Hopefully he’ll keep improving.

“He’s good over seven but will get a mile as well.”

The O'Brien-trained Sandy Creek and Shamwari both won in the hands of Declan McDonogh on the polytrack at Dundalk this afternoon.