Nick Rockett

Nick Rockett

23rd-Jan-2025

Nick Rockett is not a massive price for tomorrow’s Thyestes Chase, but the case for him is rock solid, and I think that he should be shorter than he is now.

A Grade 2 winner as a novice hurdler, Willie Mullins’ horse was a high-class staying novice chaser last season.  Fourth behind Corbetts Cross, Three Card Brag and Monty’s Star in a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle meeting in December last season, he finished second in the Grade 2 Ten Up Chase at Navan, on the back of which he was sent off as favourite for the Irish Grand National.

It never really happened for him at Fairyhouse, he just seemed to find three miles and five and a half furlongs on heavy ground too much for him.  He proved that he was none the worse for that though on his final run last season, when he stayed on well to finish a close-up third behind his stable companion Minella Cocooner in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

He ran a big race on his debut this season too in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.  He travelled well through his race, and he looked a likely winner when he hit the front as they entered the home straight.  Lack of a recent run probably told in the end, but he still kept on well to finish fourth.

He gets to race off just a 2lb higher mark tomorrow, and that is more than fair.  He should come on for his Leopardstown run.  The Thyestes is an important race for Willie Mullins, the biggest race at his local track, and it is probable that he has had it as Nick Rockett’s target since last spring.  The Walk In The Park gelding has raced just six times over fences, he still has plenty of potential for progression as a staying chaser.

The fact that Paul Townend rides him is massive, not only because he has chosen him, but also because Nick Rockett will have his assistance.

A weight of 11st 11lb is higher than ideal, but Nick Rockett could have the class to carry that weight.  Also, three horses have carried 11st 4lb or more to victory in the Thyestes in the last six years, and all three were trained by Willie Mullins.  And On His Own carried 11st 6lb in 2014, Djakadam carried 11st 10lb in 2015. Seven of the last 11 winners carried 11st or more, and five of them were trained by Willie Mullins.

Yeah Man is a horse I like, and he is only 2lb higher than he was when he finished third in the Troytown, after which Gavin Cromwell said that the Thyestes was a likely target.  Will Do ran well in the Paddy Power too, and Josh Williamson’s 7lb claim will be a big asset for Favori De Champdou, and Glengouly ran a big race in last year’s Thyestes.  He is only 1lb higher now, and he won his maiden hurdle on his only other visit to Gowran Park, at this meeting.  He is interesting.

I can see Stuzzikini out-running his odds too if he puts his mind to it, but Nick Rockett is the bet.

NICK ROCKETT WON (ADV 11/2, SP 9/2)