Morris satisfied with Rock’s reappearance run
Mouse Morris’ nine-year-old was in the process of running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and was still in touch with Kauto Star, Denman, Imperial Commander and Long Run, the last five winners of the blue riband.
Unfortunately he struck into himself and was pulled up, but he made his comeback over hurdles yesterday, tackling a trip short of his best as well as unsuitably soft ground.
He will be seen next in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12.
Morris said: “He’s sound as a pound.
“He ran an absolute cracker, I couldn’t be more pleased with him. At one point I thought he was getting a second wind and coming to win it.
“To say the ground was horrible and the trip was too short, it was a great run and showed he’s still got it.
“He’ll run in the Irish Hennessy next and then we’ll see how good he is.
“Considering the race he was running at Cheltenham last year before he got injured, you’d hope he wouldn’t be far away if he goes back there.
“We’ve got our fingers crossed he gets there and we’ll just take it one race at a time with him.”
Dessie Hughes meanwhile would not be afraid of starting off the hurdling career of Minsk in the highest company.
A high-profile recruit out of John Oxx’s stable, Minsk won the Irish Cesarewitch in October in good fashion before having his attentions switched to the winter game.
Hughes decided to give him a break after his exertions on the level, but is keen to get him started soon, with the spring festivals fast approaching.
“We got him in October time and gave him a break as he’d been in training a long time and we started him back before Christmas,” said Hughes.
“We schooled him before we gave him a break when he was fit and he took to the hurdles very well so we were happy with that.
“He’s back in work now – he’s doing strong canters and he should be ready to run in the first week of February.
“He might run in the Grade One, the Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown (February 12), or the Winning Fair (Fairyhouse, February 25). I’d love to get two runs into him, which will be tight, but he does jump well.”
“It’s not definite that he’ll be aimed at the Triumph, but when he was bought that was what he (owner, Barry Connell) had in mind.
“It won’t be the end of the world if he doesn’t get there without a couple of runs under his belt.
“If we’re happy when he runs that one run will be enough, then he’ll go there,” the County Kildare handler told At The Races.
