Rocky's Howya lands hat-trick of Claiming wins Having landed similar races at Limerick and Naas earlier in the year, the Declan Queally trained Rocky's Howya brought up a hat-trick of claiming wins when staying on strongly to land the opening Aisling Kennedy Memorial Claiming Hurdle at Clonmel. Sent off 11/4f, in the colours of Mrs Margaret Kiely, the 10-year-old adopted his customary front running tactics under jockey Kevin Healy. Strongly pressed by stablemate You Done Well after three out, the Ask gelding saw off the latter's attentions, before holding the late challenge of Woodstream Lad after the final flight to win by one-and-a-half lengths. Declan Queally Junior said: "I thought he'd run well going to Wexford the last day when he was in against nice novices, but it is just funny the way the 'levels' work. He was rated nicely for that Wexford race but couldn't compete and was dropping back down today. "A big effort goes in at home in keeping him right, he goes swimming and has been kept sweet. He is hard to place as he is old and rated high enough, but there are a couple of races coming up for him. " Third-placed Midnight Eagle was claimed for €6,000 by Andrew McNamara, fourth-placed You Done Well, for €4,000 by Michael Browne and seventh-placed Circus Act, for €5,000 by Philip Dempsey. (Quotes by Thomas Weekes)
