Waterville Rock (Katie Walsh) leads home Lord De Beaufai (Helen Mooney) and Wither Or Not (Lisa O'Neill)© Photo Healy Racing
Anyone thinking that favourite Waterville Rock looked vulnerable in the closing stages of the Very Talented Ladies INH Flat Race weren't reckoning on Katie Walsh's brilliance in the plate, as she brought home the 'jolly' by half a length in the night-cap at Downpatrick.
Helen Mooney got there aboard Lord De Beaufai with a very threatening looking challenge in the final furlong, but Walsh always gave the impression that she'd saved enough to last home aboard the victorious Diamond Green gelding.
She was sporting the O'Flynn silks of China Rock and Galileo Rock fame here, aboard a five-year-old equipped with cheek-pieces for the first-time, after third place finishes at Cork and Killarney.
James Nash does the training and he said: "He's probably too weak for round here but Katie had ridden him twice before, and knew him, so we saw the ladies race and went for it. He would prefer a galloping track.
"He'll be a big strong chaser. Depending on the weather he might get a holiday after that."
Miss J.M. Mangan, rider of Rightback Atya trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount never travelled throughout this race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Rightback Atya, trained by P.J. Rothwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame behind post race.
(MG & EM)
