Trainer hails Ruby's Hard Fought win

Ruby Walsh gained compensation following his fall from Daneking at Cork today when steering the Eddie Hales trained Hard Fought to an all-the-way win in the next, the Corkracecourse.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Walsh, whose mount Daneking was full of running when exiting in the third last flight, made all to win on Hard Fought, with Hales later crediting the Champion Jockey with much of the success.

Hales stated "in fairness to Ruby he came in after her run the last day and said 'I've a plan' and told us to step her up in trip. In the parade ring today Ruby said 'we'll see if I'm a good judge' and it's safe to say that he is."

Colourful Hales added "it's great as Ruby had been bombarding me all year to ride my horses.

"She'll run in a handicap next although she goes racing more times than Dessie (Scahill, racecourse commentator)!"

By Tom Weekes