Grade 2 Victory Leads Super Saturday For Getaway

Rock My Way (5g Getaway - Far Rock, by Old Vic) provided owner/trainer Syd Hosie with a day to remember when taking the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham January Trials meeting.

The exciting son of Getaway was bought by Hosie after winning a four-year-old maiden for Warren Ewing and made a promising start under rules when finishing second to Graded performer Weveallbeencaught (Getaway) earlier this month. Tom Scudamore retained the partnership and once again rode the bay to race prominently throughout the two and a half mile contest. Leading before two out, he was pushed along approaching the final flight and kept on well to hold off the favourite by a length and a half.

Speaking after the race, a delighted Syd Hosie said, “We've had a Cheltenham hunter chase winner and that, to me, was the pinnacle but this means a lot.” The permit-holder is now dreaming of bigger days with the Rockvale Stud-bred Rock My Way, who holds entries in the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett.

Rock My Way’s Grade 2 success led a super Saturday for Grange Stud sire Getaway, with Cooper’s Cross (8g Getaway - Rocella, by Goofalik) earlier winning the valuable Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

Stuart Coltherd’s charge has proven progressive over fences this season and was partnered by Sam Coltherd to produce a career-best performance at the weekend. Ridden out on the run-in, he led by a length on the line from Grade 3 winner Cap Du Nord, with the pair finishing eight and a half lengths clear of their rivals.

Owned by J Fyffe and bred by Alan O’Brien, Cooper’s Cross began his career with Colin Bowe, for whom he won a five-year-old maiden at Ballingarry.

Another point-to-point graduate expected to make their mark under rules is Sanda Rena (5m Getaway - Conors Miracle), who sold to Highflyer Bloodstock for £150,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham sale that evening.

Tessa Greatrex provided the winning bid and after signing the docket, said, “She’s gorgeous, a great mover and we loved her performance. She’s going to go to Ben Pauling for the Megsons.”

Sean Doyle’s Monbeg Stables consigned the exciting mare, having trained her to make a winning debut at Borris House last month. Bred by Michael O’Regan out of an Oscar mare, the daughter of Getaway is bred on the same cross as Grade 1 winner Sporting John (Getaway).