Rock launched over fences

A year on from a successful beginning under Rules cross-channel, star point-to-pointer, Inchidaly Rock has his first outing over racecourse fences in the 2.40, the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Novices' Chase at Exeter today.

In the colours of the O'Flynns, from Banteer, Co. Cork, Inchidaly Rock won for trainer Michael Winters at Aghabullogue, the Buster King (an unraced Busted horse) gelding followed up at Bandon before bringing up the hat-trick at Liscarroll, on a day when the action had to be curtailed due to torrential rain.

Now in the ownership of Margaret Findlay and Paul Barber, Paul Nicholls said the following of this tough sort in a stable tour: "A dual novice hurdle winner who was just held in a three mile Listed handicap at the Aintree Festival on his final start of the year.

"A talented horse who was unbeaten in point-to-points before joining us, he will probably have one more run over hurdles before going novice chasing where he should win plenty."

Though not the biggest, the seven-year-old has done plenty of schooling and is expected to keep progressing. He was reportedly not given a hard season last term due to taking time to acclimatise and being immature. After having a breathing operation since he last appeared, Inchidaly Rock will be expected to beat his seven rivals in this three miler.

Ruby Walsh, rider of Inchidaly Rock, teams up with the Manor Farm Stables representative, The Minack, in the concluding Haldon Stand Extension Is Now Open Novices' Hurdle at 4.10. This well-bred five-year-old has come from the Liam Burke nursery.

Nicholls said of him: "A good winner of an Irish point-to-point in May who is out of the great race mare, Ebony Jane, as is our Definity. An exciting horse who will go novice hurdling this season."

The Minack went into plenty of notebooks when arriving from off the pace to finish third to Forlovenormoney (now also in Nicholls' care) on his debut in a five-year-old geldings' maiden at Dawstown in May. A half-brother to four track winners, the son of King's Theatre was odds-on to go two places better at Bartlemy after that.

Interestingly his owner, Graham Roach of Viking Flagship fame, was in attendance as was Paul Nicholls, to see Richie Harding's mount easily beat Gorse Lodge by six lengths on soft ground.

With just five in opposition this afternoon, The Minack's main threat could come from another Irish point-to-point graduate, Best Oscar.

He won at Loughanmore back in April for Clonmel owner/trainer, Tom Keating. A nice horse he was beaten into second as the 11/8 market-leader on his first start for Andy Turnell at Stratford on October 24th.