Queally sets Stayers’ goal for Rocky’s Diamond

All roads lead to Cheltenham for Rocky’s Diamond after his brilliant victory in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The five-year-old impressed when outperforming his 66-1 odds by finishing third in the Grade One Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and supported that run with a battling one-and-a-quarter-length success in Co Kilkenny last week.

He kept in touch with the leaders in the extended three-mile feature before taking over four from home.

Having faced challenges from Franciscan Rock and Thedevilscoachman at the next, a clear jump over the penultimate hurdle moved him clear and he powered on to claim his first Grade Two triumph.

Trainer Declan Queally admitted he had initially contemplated waiting until the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on February 9 for Rocky’s Diamond, but is pleased his gamble “paid dividends” as he prepares for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

“He’s good, he’s come out of the race fine,” Queally said. “I’m glad I took the gamble and ran him in the Galmoy rather than waiting for the Boyne because he’s had a nice week in the field now, doing nothing.

“He actually rode out on Wednesday – his first day back. He’s had a grand, relaxing week and now we have a bit of time to gear him for Cheltenham. So it paid dividends to take the gamble to maybe run him a bit quick after Leopardstown.”

Queally completed a double at Gowran thanks to a stunning 12-length win with Carrigmoorna Beech, made all the more special as the Lisroe Farm handler was in the saddle.

The four-year-old, however, will not be joining Rocky’s Diamond in making the trip across the Irish Sea for the Festival.

“She’s good, she’s a good, staying-type mare,” Queally said. “She was with Rocky’s Diamond on Tuesday and when we let them out, she galloped across the field and bucked her hinds, so the race took nothing out of her.

“Not really (any plans). She could maybe go to Limerick at the end of March in a Listed bumper, but definitely won’t be travelling across the water.”