Palace Rock makes winning start over hurdles

Palace Rock got his jumping career off to the best possible start when justifying strong support in the opening Kells Maiden Hurdle at Navan.

The Francis Casey-trained gelding won a maiden on the all-weather at Dundalk last month and was well-supported here from prices as big as 7/1 early this morning before going off an 11/4 chance.

Denis O’Regan’s mount was never too far from the pace striking the front after two out and, having briefly given supporters an anxious moment with a mistake at the last, asserted in good style close home to score by three and a half lengths. Boothen Boy made a very encouraging debut only giving best in the final 100 yards in second, with Nazine was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.

Casey said, "He's a grand horse and Denis thinks a lot of him. He needs to brush up on his jumping but he'll learn from racing.

“He's a very big horse and the further he goes the better he'll be. He's 17 hands and every day I weigh him he's heavier. He's just maturing.

“He's a horse that will hopefully go places. He'll probably go to Fairyhouse next for a Graded race that his mother won years ago.”

(GC & AM)