Delight with improving Foxrock after Leopardstown win

Foxrock ran out a game winner of the BoyleSports Handicap Chase to gain compensation for his narrow defeat on this course at Christmas.

Adrian Heskin brought Ted Walsh's seven-year-old to lead before the final fence and he galloped on resolutely to land the spoils for owner Barry Connell, going one better than in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.

Byerley Babe just held Heaney for second place, five lengths behind the winner. Walsh said: “It was a good performance, he did it really well.

“If he ran as well as in the Paddy Power I thought he was able and he was probably a better horse than in the Paddy Power.

“He quickened up well after the last and ran to the line. He jumped a bit high early on, but he’s only seven and will improve.

“I just think it’s an absolute disgrace that the programme committee put this race and the Thyestes on in the space of a week. “The

Leopardstown Chase should be on in February as no horse that is going to run in this is going to run in the Hennessy. “We used to have the Paddy Power at Christmas, the Thyestes in January, the

Leopardstown Chase in February and then the Irish National in late March. Those were the traditional dates. “Anyway I’m delighted I won it! He’ll get another 8lb or 9lb. He’s finished in handicaps and if he’s fresh and well he might run in the Hennessy or maybe the Bobbyjo, those type of races.”

Meanwhile Vautour got his fencing career back on track with a facile success in the Leopardstown Killiney Novice Chase at the Dublin course.

Willie Mullins’ six-year-old put in a good clear round to make amends for his defeat at the same course over Christmas, where a bad mistake all but put paid to his chance.

There were no mishaps this time as Ruby Walsh let the 1-5 shot do his own thing up front. His jumping in the main was very good and he looked to have Real Steel well beaten when that horse came down at the last.

His exit left sole rival Aladdins Cave to take second spot a very healthy distance in arrears.

Paddy Power cut Vautour to 3-1 clear favourite from 4s for the JLT Novices' Chase and left him unchanged at 8-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Mullins said: “I think he’s back to himself. He did what he probably should have done at Christmas.

“He strode out a lot better and jumped a lot better, but I think he could still jump a lot better. He didn’t jump as well as he did first time at Navan. It was a very good test. Probably in reality it was a match.

“I’m happy he’s back to himself and think there is more to come. I think it was a just little muscle problem at Christmas. He appeared fine the day before when I left for Kempton but by the time he came to the racing he wasn’t right.

“I said to Ruby today to make sure he was warmed up plenty but he had ridden him in a good bit of work since Christmas and was happy with him.”

Katie T struck in the BoyleSports Hurdle for the unlikely partnership of Classic-winning trainer Kevin Prendergast and British-based jockey Brian Hughes.

Hughes had the 12-1 chance just behind the leaders as Forty Foot Tom and Lucky Bridle set the pace, before producing Katie T with a telling run to lead between the last two flights after Modem had hit the front briefly.

Modem tried to make a renewed effort on the rail, but Hughes closed the door with Katie T pulling away close home to win by three lengths. Ted Veale powered home from the rear under a big weight to fill third place, with Savello (20-1) fourth. The result was allowed to stand following a brief inquiry.