Seabass conquers all

Ted Walsh’s Seabass reaped the benefits of his point-to-point victory three weeks ago at Ballinaboola when running out the comprehensive victor of the two mile six furlongs handicap chase at Punchestown.

Excluding that spin between the flags the eight-year-old son of Turtle Island had been off the track for 670 days but he was full of running today as he led four out and dominated to win by two-and-three-parts-of-a-length and justify 7/4 favouritism.

Ted’s son Ruby was on board and the duo fended off runner-up Like Your Style (11/2) in the JP McManus colours, ridden by Mark Walsh. It was 14 lengths back to Dark Vagabond in third. He had been gambled on from a morning price of 16/1 and was returned 9/1.

“He won a point-to-point three weeks ago which left him spot on for this. He beat Stewarts House last year and he was good enough to win the Beechers Chase so he had his chance.

“He jumps and stays and we’ll go for something over Christmas.”

Michael Graham