Dual-purpose grey Walhaan opens account on the Flat Walhaan added to a maiden hurdle win at Leopardstown earlier this year when taking the Bar One Racing Guaranteed Overnight Prices Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk. The dual-purpose gelding has picked up prizemoney on plenty of occasions this year and was coming here after a placed effort over hurdles on heavy ground at Galway. The front-running Humanitarian held a lead of over six lengths approaching the straight in this extended ten-furlong event but was reeled in by the chasing pack over a furlong out. Walhaan came home strongly on the stands’ side and the 11/2 shot asserted in the closing stages under Scott McCullagh to beat topweight Celtic Revival by a length and three-quarters with Spy just a head further back in third. Winning trainer Ciaran Murphy said, “He got into his own grade today and we were very pleased with him coming here. He’s been consistent all year both over hurdles and on the Flat and it’s just lovely to win on the Flat with him there. He’s been a great servant to us all year. “He’s in a novice hurdle in Ayr on Wednesday and the plan would be to go there and maybe come back here before Christmas. He thrives on racing and is providing great sport for the syndicate.”
