Thunder Rock wins Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle

The seven-year-old progressed well in his first season over fences, winning his first two starts before performing creditably in graded races.

Thunder Rock appeared to struggle to stay the trip in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival but came within half a length of success at Ayr when reverting to two and a half miles and the intermediate distance was to his liking on his seasonal reappearance.

A little outpaced jumping the third last at the bottom of the home straight, Thunder Rock was soon back on terms under jockey Sean Bowen and was firmly in the ascendancy by the time he approached the last.

The pair safely negotiated that obstacle before galloping clear to record a three and a half length victory over Mahler Mission in a race that has been won by the likes of Many Clouds and Imperial Aura in recent seasons.

Winning trainer Olly Murphy said: "He's a horse with a big engine. I came here thinking that if he didn't win he would probably go back over hurdles. He is not the most robust horse in the world but he's got a big heart and he wants it - and when a horse wants it you're three-quarters of the way there.

"I discussed the Coral Gold Cup with Max but I thought a 20-runner handicap probably wouldn't be for him just yet.

"He was rated 146 and I imagine he'll be the guts of 150 after today so he's a horse that probably wants to step up into open graded company. There's a 2m4f Grade Two at Ascot over Christmas and he could go for something like that and see how we go.

“It's very early to be talking about the Ryanair (Chase, at The Cheltenham Festival) but this is the first step up the ladder and he'll keep chasing for the time being. He's a gritty horse and I'd love to have another 10 like him because he has a fantastic attitude."

Bowen added: “"I missed three out but on the whole his jumping was very good and the minute I gave him a squeeze from the back of three out, I was back on it. I never really had a moment's worry.

“He jumped really well and straight off. He winged the first and we were straight into a rhythm. I wouldn't see any issue with fences and that is definitely his trip for now.”

Thunder Rock won in the familiar colours of Max McNeill, who owns the son of Shirocco in partnership with Ian Dale.

McNeill said: “It was a bit of a cup final for him today in terms of where do we go.

“You’re standing at the station; could we go left or right. Could we stick over hurdles if he didn’t run well today or were we going to keep over fences.

“He missed the third last a bit, but I think on that performance he’s going to have to stay over fences. He’s an exciting prospect, he really is.”

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