Ruby Walsh is undeniably good at his job and the Co Kildare jockey partnered a double at Kilbeggan today, opening with Shandon Star in the T & V Novice Hurdle before winning the 2m3f handicap hurdle on Seagull Eile.
Willie Mullins' Shandon Star was completing a back to back wins, following her win at Tramore recently but was helped by the fall of the challenging Mr Fitzer, at the final flight.
Mullins was absent although Walsh was of the opinion that his mount would have won regardless of the fall of Roger Loughran's mount.
An hour later Walsh was on board Kevin O'Brien's Seagull Eile, who defeated Matt Wood to win the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
Afterwards a relieved O'Brien reported 'that win was long overdue and Ruby was very good on the mare who seemed to handle the ground well.'
There was some controversy following the win of Noel Meade's Kinshasa in the Horseleap Handicap Hurdle, with the hurdle staff failing to place back the knocked final hurdle into position in time for runner-up Alpha Jet to skip over.
The incident failed to alter the result although Meade was understandably unimpressed, mentioning 'I am unhappy with what happened and the racecourse could have cost my horse the race.'
The opening William Glynn Memorial Maiden Hurdle went to Pat Doyle's effortless five length winner Feel Good Factor.
Rated 102 over hurdles, the son of Singspiel raced prominently before moving through to lead at the fifth flight, eventually stretching clear of his rivals for an easy win.
Doyle later reported that the half brother to three Group 1 winners including Opera House and Kayf Tara, 'did not stay the 2m3f trip here the last day and it was a mistake running him.'
He added 'Feel Good Factor will go for a winners race at Bellewstown next before going to Galway for a handicap hurdle.'
Always Present landed the beginners chase under Garrett Cotter while seven pound claimer Denis Hogan was seen to good effect, winning on Charlie Swan's Aston in the 3m1f handicap chase.
