Walsh doubles up on Dounikos

Ruby Walsh extended his lead at the head of the jockeys’ championship when completing a short-priced double aboard Dounikos in the Thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The 11-times champion has really put his foot on the accelerator this week, and was making it seven winners in the last three race days following five wins at the two-day Wexford Bank Holiday meeting.

Walsh is now on the 48 winner mark for the season, seven clear of the sidelined Jack Kennedy.

Dounikos made all to beat Bridge Native also a winner earlier on this card, in a Downpatrick bumper last month and adopted similar tactics here in this 2m7f event.

The Smadoun gelding asserted at the penultimate flight and kept on well to beat Robbina by two lengths. Kilcooley Abbey was a further six and a half lengths adrift in third.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said, "He's a big honest galloping horse and it wasn't the strongest race in the world but he did what he had to do.

"Ruby said he was very idle but he won and has done his job and we'll try and find another small race somewhere."

(TW & AM)