Rely on Rockcliffe
Kevin Prendergast’s once-raced Rockcliffe, a gelding by King’s Best, gets the nap in the first.
Reported to be a smart sort in the making when starting off at Punchestown 26 days ago, he certainly performed with plenty of promise.
Rockcliffe came there with every chance in the straight, before weakening through the final furlong to finish a short head and a length and a half third behind Dermot Weld’s well- regarded newcomer, Universal Truth, and Dessie Hughes’ Whispering Hills, who had run a cracker on his debut at Leopardstown previously.
The second bumper may be best left to another who has had just one run, Conor O’Dwyer’s Derrinlanna.
He has his charges in good form right now and this daughter of Presenting is entitled to come on a bundle for her initial outing behind Asigh Pearl at Punchestown.
O’Dwyer might also supply the solution to the third with Rockadare, who has been rested since finishing sixth to New Phase at Punchestown back in May, a contest which has worked out particularly well.
Ado McGuinness’ Beau Michael is the one to beat in the Ever Kleen, Commercial, Domestic and Industrial Cleaners Handicap.
He should be as fit as a flea from jumping and arrives on the back of a reasonable effort when third to Solwhit and Jazz Messenger in the Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.
