Rockstown Girl opens hurdle account at Tipp

Rockstown Girl overcame an absence of over five months when taking the Tipperaryraces.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle in the hands of James O’Sullivan.

The Anthony McCann-trained daughter of Iffraaj showed plenty of promise in bumpers and bounced back to form here after a disappointing hurdle run at Thurles in November.

The 5/1 chance struck the front two out and kept on well on the run-in to beat the staying on Mi Lucky Cailin by three lengths. Lady Rose Hackett was a further length and a quarter away in third.

McCann said, “She hit the first hurdle in Thurles the last day and her race was over as she got a bad fright. We gave her a break after that.

“She’s a top class mare and was third in a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown.

“James said she took a blow turning in and had plenty left in the tank. I was disappointed with myself that I didn’t have her fitter than that.

“She should have a good campaign now for the summer.”