The market spoke for China Rock in the Gowran Park Champion Steeplechase and the 13/8 favourite didn't disappoint under Ruby Walsh, prevailing by a length and a half from Coolcashin
China Rock took over narrowly from Oscar Looby after three out and he was driven out from the last to score from the staying-on runner-up. Easy-to-back Glencove Marina wasn't going to win from before the straight and an awkward jump at the last saw Barry Geraghty pull up the eight-year-old on the run-in. He was reported to be sound afterwards.
Winning trainer Mouse Morris said: "He has gotten stronger over the winter and I think he is a better horse now. He probably finds two and a half a bit sharp – he wants three miles. He made a couple of mistakes but Ruby said one of them wasn't his fault. We have no immediate plans." Miss Mitch well-backed and having her first run for the in-form Pat Fahy here, ended up finishing last of the five.
