Rock Of Cashel takes big step forward from debut

Rock Of Cashel put a disappointing effort on debut firmly behind him when making virtually all to land the Eventus Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden at Galway.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, a Wootton Bassett half-brother to dual Oaks winner Snowfall, was fancied on Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh but never got involved following a bump leaving stalls.

However, it was a different story here as the 3/1 chance was ridden to assert over a furlong out before keeping on strongly under Wayne Lordan to beat Admiral Churchill by two and a quarter lengths. Viking Invasion finished a further half-a-length away in third.

O'Brien was represented by Chris Armstrong who said, "He was just very babyish the first day and in fairness he's come forward from it.

“He's still quite babyish but he's going to be a lovely horse in time, he's still putting it all together.

“We might look at something like the Futurity for him, some of those nice races.

“Wayne was very happy with him and he thought he'd come forward nicely from the last day. There is still plenty more to come.

“We'll step him up into group company and see where he fits in with the rest of them.”

Quotes by Gary Carson