Walsh Shakes off rivals to claim Goodwill

Shakervilz pulled out more in the closing stages to claim the Southampton Goodwill Chase at Listowel.

Ruby Walsh made the running on the 7/4 favourite and he looked in control as he poached a few lengths on the field before the third last. Wellforth plugged on in second, however, and Walsh had to get serious with his mount approaching the second last.

Willie Mullins' charge found plenty for pressure and kept on doggedly to record a two-and-a-quarter length success.

There was a 84-length gap back to last year's winner Finger Onthe Pulse with Tony McCoy accepting defeat on him from the third last.

Mullins revealed afterwards that a cross country campaign is being mapped out for the winner, who was purchased by Nick Peacock's Wicklow Bloodstock Limited recently.

“I just sold this fellow to his new owner the other day – the man that owns Simenon. He's away on holidays and didn't realise he was running but I think he might have seen it on his computer. It's a nice start for him.

“We bought him really to go cross country racing but he has shown this summer that he's competitive over hurdles and fences. He can do anything but I think his future is in cross country.

“Barry Geraghty (on Wellforth) was trying to make things difficult and there were a lot of tactics going on in the middle of the race.

“Our horse got very tired or I'd say maybe lonely out in front but everytime he heard the other horse coming he took off again and he had plenty in the tank.”

Ruby Walsh was recording his third winner of the week and added:-

“He did it well. He was very idle in front and wasn't doing a whole lot. Everytime I could hear Barry coming behind me he was picking up.

“It's a good pot to win with him. He hasn' been that consistent over fences for a horse that's a good jumper.

“That's his second race he's won this summer so hopefully he's on a roll. He's very neat and on that ground you need a horse that's able to pop them like that and conserve energy.”

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)