Rock De Baune

Rock De Baune stayed on well to win the one-mile-six-furlong handicap. Slowly away, he settled nicely at the back of the field for Tom Madden through the early stages of the race. He had to be niggled along once or twice, but he travelled well to the end of the back straight and, ridden along as they straightened up for home, he stayed on well down the outside to get the better of Royal Illusion and Dalileo, going away nicely to win well.

John Kiely’s horse beat Klassical Dream in a three-year-old hurdle at Auteuil in October 2017, but he hasn’t won over hurdles yet in Ireland in seven attempts. He has been in good form on the flat this summer though, he has now won two of his three races, and a new flat rating of 87, up 7lb fir this win, is more than workable. He stays well, he has potential to progress more in flat staying contests, and he will be of interest if he takes up his entry in the Irish Cesarewitch. He could improve again for the step up to two miles.

He will also be of interest if and when he goes back over hurdles. He did run well to finish fifth in Cuneo’s Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown last Christmas off a mark of 120, and his current hurdles mark of 121 could under-estimate him and his potential for improvement. He is only five and he still has time on his side as a hurdler.

Listowel, 12^th September 2019