Ruby Walsh moved onto the 26 winner mark for the season when partnering a 15.5/1 double aboard Horse Chestnut and Halfaquid as Kilbeggan hosted its final meeting of the year.
The rejuvenated Frances Crowley stable made it six wins in the last ten days when Horse Chestnut was left clear by the fall of Pharviva two out to record a 20 lengths victory in the opening three miles maiden hurdle.
Walsh narrowed the gap to ten behind Paul Carberry in the National Hunt jockeys championship when Halfaquid defied top-weight in the two miles and three furlongs handicap hurdle. Leslie Young's charge had some fortune on her side as Loughline fell when in front two out bringing down favourite Akali, while Il En Reve was just headed by the winner when falling at the last.
'She is improving all the time, and the ground doesn't seem to bother her. She had a bit of luck on her side but battles well,' said Young.
Walsh had to settle for the runner-up berth in the two miles novice hurdle, where the Adrian Lane-ridden Harry The Ear proved too strong in the straight for Swordplay. 'He showed the benefit of his win here last month. They went a good gallop, and he jumped much better today,' said trainer Michael Halford, who will give the gelding a break now and come back at Christmas to take on the 'better novices'.
Ballinarrid captured the featured Max Premium Irish Dog Food Handicap Chase, but only after a stewards enquiry into an incident between the final two fences. Larry Hurley, partnering his first winner since breaking a collarbone at the Tramore Festival meeting last month, sent the Paul Roche-trained gelding clear on the home turn, and he needed to be driven right out on the run-in to hold on by three quarters of a length. The stewards enquired into an incident after two out where the principals appeared to bump, but the placings remained unaltered.
The last flight proved crucial in the destination of the two miles and six furlongs handicap hurdle. Green Magical looked set to score when travelling smoothly to lead approaching the last, but a bad blunder there handed the initiative back to Treize Mars who got back up under Shay Barry for a half length verdict.
Deckie 'could have a new home soon' according to trainer Christy Roche after taking the beginners chase under Paul Moloney. The seven-year-old traveled well to lead before the last, and kept on well to beat Dajazar by four and a half lengths. 'He's won three races for us now but, depending on what J P (McManus) wants to do, he could soon be going to the sales,' said the Curragh trainer.
Alan Magee
