Little Big Rocky doubles up for Downey

Little Big Rocky followed up his Killarney victory to make it back-to-back wins when taking the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle at Cork.

Despite being raised 14lbs for an emphatic win at the County Kerry track, the Paddy Downey trained seven-year-old showed here that he is clearly a horse on the upgrade.

Making just his second start in handicap company, the Califet gelding quickened up from the last in a manner that suggested he may have a bit more up his sleeve.

Race favourite Golf Marin held every chance at the second last flight but already looked beat when a bad mistake at the final obstacle ended any faint hopes. He eventually weakened to finish fourth.

Paddy Downey, who wore a sling with his left hand bandaged, said; “He knocked a tooth out of my head and busted my hand getting out of the box. There is nothing like that in him, he just got a fright.

“They wanted me to go for an Xray but I persuaded the doctor to back the horse and she let me stay here until after the race!

“The last day we had to do a lot in front in Killarney but today they went a nice gallop. They slowed it up on the far side and he jumped his way there.

“He probably didn’t want to be there as soon as we were and he’s learning on the game. Conor was great on him and gave him an education the whole way round.

“Chasing is his game and we might go that way now. We’ll treat him as a good horse and see what happens.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee