Walsh doubles up with Furze

Ruby Walsh completed a quick double in the opening two races at Clonmel when partnering Bishopsfurze to make most of the running in the two miles Powerstown Chase.

Those who supported the 4/9 favourite may have felt a bit uneasy as Action Master and Friendly Society were poised to challenge early in the straight.

However Friendly Society blew his chance when blundering badly at the penultimate fence and, not for the first time, Action Master (6/1) found disappointingly little when asked to challenge on the run-in.

Walsh’s mount galloped on well in the closing stages to score by three quarters of a length. Island Wood set the early pace until crashing out at the second fence, while Tango Banbou lost touch after a mistake at the fourth last.

Cheltenham seems unlikely to be on the agenda for the winner this season as Mullins said, “We’ll keep it country for the time being. He’s learning how to make mistakes but get away with them. Experience is all he needs.

“It’s a pity with him because when he gets things right he’s spectacular. But he looses the plot occasionally. He’s learning slowly.”