Rock’s Could Bounce Back Returned To Fairyhouse

The old saying ‘horses for courses’ served us well at the end of 2018 and hopefully it gets us off to a flier in 2019. The Irish action on New Year’s Day comes from Fairyhouse and my each way fancy goes in the 25f handicap chase at 3.15. He Rock’s has been badly out of form recently, but the return to the County Meath track could spark him back to life.

 

He Rock's has run well on two of his last three visits to Fairyhouse.

This son of Beneficial has not fired on his last four starts, beating just two rivals home and failing to complete twice. In fairness to him, he was in the process of running well when falling two starts back at the Galway Festival. His other three efforts left a lot to be desired but in his defence, he was running over trips that are probably too short for him nowadays.

As a result his mark has now tumbled to 120 and if he is at his best he is capable of winning off that rating. His last two runs at 3 miles plus at Fairyhouse saw him produce two of his best runs since winning at Roscommon in 2016. He was badly hampered at the last when 3rd to Presenting Percy here on soft in December 2017 off 125 over 29f.

He Rock’s ran a cracker when 2nd 5L behind White Arm off the same mark on good to yielding in April 2017 over today’s course and distance. He was conceding over a stone to the winner that day and he was 11L clear of the 3rd. 

Three different jockeys have been on board for his three wins, so hopefully Robbie Colgan can add his name to the list. He has ridden five winners for Mahon in the past and he was 4th om Double Portrait for the yard just before Xmas. Stakes should be kept small due to He Rock’s poor recent form, but there are enough positives to justify a modest each way interest at odds of 28/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 3.15 FAIRYHOUSE-HE ROCK’S E/W @ 28/1