Rock Ready To Roll

Perce Rock is likely to put his Arkle Trophy credentials on the line this weekend in the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The Grade Two event looks like attracting a decent field, but as the six-year-old is already as low as 16-1 for the Cheltenham contest, a bold show is anticipated.

After winning his first start over fences, he was pitched in at the deep end for a Grade One event and crashed out at the third-last fence.

'It looks a good little race but after winning his first one over fences we are forced to go for these races really,' said Fozzy Stack, assistant trainer to his father, Tommy.

'We were pleased with how he was going last time but he fell nearly half a mile out so it was far too early to say whether he would have won or not. It was just one of those things.

'He came back fine though and he has schooled well since so it shouldn't have affected him.

'Soft ground should be fine for him but we have had an unbelievable amount of rain recently, he might need to swim!

'He has an entry in the Irish Arkle and there is another race for him on Irish Hennessy day over two and a half, which is a Grade One (Dr. P.J. Moriarty). We'll just get this out of the way first and make plans after that.

'It would be nice to think he could go to Cheltenham but he needs to put in a clear round first and do the right things.

'I was looking at the betting and as yet there doesn't appear to be a real superstar over two miles but on the day it will be a hot race, it always is.'

(C) PA Sport