Rock prevails close home on debut

Fizzle Rock got up close home to make a winning debut for Nigel Slevin in the fillies bumper at Down Royal.

There were plenty in with chances coming down the hill in the two-mile contest with front-runner Littel Flour holding a narrow advantage.

She was pressed on either side by Fizzle Rock and Frontline Worker in the final furlong with the later drifting over to the stand's rail.

Hugh McOwan got a good tune from 14/1 shot Fizzle Rock close home as the daughter of Laverock got up to pip Littel Flour by a neck with three-parts-of-a-length back to Frontline Worker in third.

Slevin said: "She's a nice filly and goes well, but we did think greenness would beat her.

"I have to thank a farmer down the road from me, Charlie Flatley, because all winter we have been using his field. He owns a few horses with me.

"We've had her on the grass a couple of times and it showed there that it helped.

"Hugh has been coming into me the odd evening after he finishes in Gordon Elliott's and I've been using him. He's good value for his claim. He's after being second on two for me and got one over the line anyway!

"There should be improvement as she is a nice big filly."

When asked if it would be a winners' bumper or hurdling, he said: "We'll see what we do, she could go to a field of grass just as quick. I do like her." Whispering Pines sent off 7/4 favourite, was pulled up quickly after half a mile.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)