Donal Murphy
Red Rocks Point scores on debut
Red Rocks Point is driven out by Joseph O'Brien (left) to beat Cheeky Chappie
© Photo Healy Racing
Red Rocks Point got off the mark on the first time of asking as he took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden, under Joseph O’Brien for his father Aidan.
The bay son of Fastnet Rock was well-supported on-course, and having opened at 3/1, he was backed into 7/4 favouritism at the off.
Having raced in mid-division, he was pushed along briefly four furlongs out, and he was ridden and progressed into third two furlongs from home.
He hit the front inside the final furlong, and he wandered slightly under pressure in the closing stages, but he held on to score by a neck. Cheeky Chappie for David Wachman and Wayne Lordan, finished a gallant second at 10/1, while Zarib came through to take third, two and three parts of a length back under Declan McDonogh for Mick Halford at 16/1.
Joseph O’Brien said afterwards: "He is a grand horse and he is quite laid back. He was quite lazy during the race and he is by a very exciting sire."
After the race the Stewards suspended Joseph O'Brien for one day for not giving his mount time to response to the whip.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee