Pakens Rock "eats that hill" under J J Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
After his earlier gains on Joseph O’Brien’s Arthurian Fame J J Slevin doubled his score at Galway aboard course specialist Pakens Rock in the MansionBet Watch And Bet Beginners Chase.
Trained locally by Barry Murphy, the Central Park chestnut, with Slevin in the plate for the first time, asserted in the final furlong to beat market-leader Thatsy by ten lengths.
Pakens Rock was taking his Ballybrit score to three, and he was supported to do so, finding a starting price of 100/30 from 4/1.
He was foiling what would have been a Gordon Elliott four-timer with Thatsy.
Slevin was impressed on dismounting, telling Murphy — “He eats that hill.”
For his part Murphy said: “We were able to be that bit more aggressive with him as he had the couple of chase runs under his belt.
“He loves this place and I’m just delighted for Ray (Healy, owner).
“I’d imagine it’ll be the novice route for him now but we’ll just see how he comes out of it.”
Mr L.P. Gilligan, rider of Born By The Sea trained by Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped poorly in the early stages and then stayed on passed tired horses.
(EM)
