Rock On The Moor leads Analifet© Photo Healy Racing
Rock On The Moor kept on strongly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the mares hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon. Little King Robin was sent to post the 7/4 favourite for the two-and-a-half mile contest and took up her customary front-running position.
She failed to get away from the field as she has done in the past, however, and a blunder three from home ended her chances.
Outsider Mrs Mac Veale was left in front but her lead was short-lived as Rock On The Moore jumped ahead at the penultimate flight. Analifet looked a danger turning for home but couldn't make any impression from the last as Robbie Power sent his mount clear for a three-and-three-quarter length win.
The Jessica Harrington-trained winner, a faller in the Grade 3 won by Morning Run at Fairyhouse last month, had been backed this morning from 10/1 into 5/1 and was eventually sent off a 6/1 shot on course.
"I think she was very unlucky when she fell at Fairyhouse as she was not done with that day," said Harrington.
"She stays two-and-a-half miles. She's never jumped as fast in her life - they went a really good gallop.
"I'd say she'll go to Fairyhouse for the Grade 1 mares novice. I'll have to speak to the owner but it's unlikely that she'd take on Annie Power at Cheltenham."
Colin Bowe was understandably disappointed with the run of Little King Robin, who faded to finish a well-beaten fifth:-
"I'd been happy with her at home but for all the world that looked like a really flat run.
"I'll get her scoped but Mark said she was hanging and he was in trouble before she made the mistake three from home."
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
