Shake The Bucket (centre) jumps the last with By The Banks (left) and Jack Slade (right)© Photo Healy Racing
The admirable Shake The Bucket recorded his eleventh career success as he took the Sean Graham Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle for the Madden family (trainer Niall 'Boots', rider Niall ''Slippers', and owner Sarah Anne).
The now nine-year-old is as versatile as they come, and he was registering his second win over flights this evening, adding to his point-to-point success, beginners chase win, and seven flat victories.
Sent off a 16/1 chance this evening he was settled in mid-division before making progress into a closer fifth from five out.
He came with his challenge on the approach to two out, and hit the front before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score comfortably by a length and three parts. Jack Slade (16/1) kept on to take second under Ger Fox for Noel Meade, while By The Banks (10's to 9's) was two lengths back in third under Rachael Blackmore for Denis Cullen. Garri Rua (Danny Mullins for Garrett Power) completed the placings another two lengths back in fourth at the odds of 6/1 (10's this morning and from 7's on-course). Ardview Boy was sent off the well-backed 10/3 favourite (10's this morning and from 7's on-course), and he finished a disappointing tenth after attempting to make all under Davy Russell for Anthony Mulholland.
Niall ''Slipper' Madden said afterwards: "He loves that ground. I think that's his 11th win now, he has won the majority of races in Dundalk on that lively ground and he was getting it today for the first time in a while. He did it well.
"He had been disappointing over jumps in recent times compared to his flat form. Today he showed us that he still likes jumping.
"He'll mix it at Dundalk, over hurdles and over fences. He's a fun horse and we own him ourselves.
"He's a massive servant, from a point-to-point to seven in Dundalk to a maiden hurdle hurdle and a handicap hurdle now and a beginners' chase."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
