Texas Rock beats off Chestnut Fire in the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Texas Rock tanked into contention in the seven furlong handicap before seeing off Chestnut Fire in the latter stages.
Billy Lee settled him in ninth of the 14 runners before the pair travelled strongly to throw down their challenge inside the last furlong and a half.
They were followed through by Chestnut Fire and Shane Foley but it was Texas Rock who found most to score by three parts of a length.
The winner was returned the 5/1 favourite from the 11/2 runner-up. Great Wide Open (6/1) was a length and a quarter away in third.
Trainer Michael Grassick said: “I'm only after saying that the handicapper has been a bit unfair on him so obviously I'm wrong.
“I've always thought seven furlongs was his trip and he likes to come off a fast pace. Everything worked out for him today.
“He nearly travelled too well and got there too soon. He does everything on the bridle.
“Some people might say he doesn't try too hard but I honestly think he just does everything on the bridle.
“He battled well today though and the biggest problem is that he's been doing too much too early.
“Billy gets on well with him. He drops his hands on him and gets him switched off.
“I think there is a race in Dundalk for him in a couple of weeks or we could look at the Knockaire Stakes on the last day at Leopardstown. I bred him so it would be nice to get some black-type for my mare.
“This is great, especially for Joe (Keeling, owner), who has been a great supported of mine from the start.”
Texas Rock followed up on a win a mile handicap at this track last month.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
