Fences next for Kitten Rock

Kitten Rock’s impressive performance in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham is set to see him compete over fences next season.

The Edward O’Grady-trained five-year-old went into the festival on the back of four successive wins, but could only manage a sixth with winner Faugheen finishing just under 10 lengths ahead.

Kitten Rock will not race again this season, but O’Grady revealed that the JP McManus-owned youngster will feature over larger obstacles next term.

He said: “He’s come back home safe and well and I think it was the best performance he’s produced up to now.

“He was always going to be difficult to place this season, because of his age, but he’s won four of his last five races.

“We were keen to put a ceiling on his season by running at Cheltenham and I think he coped with it well.

“He won’t go to Punchestown. That was never on the agenda.

“It was always going to be either Cheltenham or Fairyhouse and now we’ve been to Cheltenham, we’re happy to put him away and look forward to going chasing with him next season.

“There won’t be many higher-rated hurdlers going chasing, I don’t think, so we’d be hopeful he’ll have another good season ahead of him.

“Hopefully there’s lots to look forward to.”