Lambro and Ruby Walsh land in a clear lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
After the fall of Call the Police at the last in the previous contest when with the race at his mercy, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh gain some compensation in the Madra Irish Dog Food Chase as Lambro came home an easy winner for the duo.
With the defections of Perfect Smile, False Economy and De Dodger only four lined up for the 2m 2f contest, with the winning 7yo son of Milan hitting the front before the second and asserting before the last going on to score easily at the odds of 1/2 favourite. Slieveardagh for Barry Geraghty and Edward O’Grady was nine and a half lengths back in second at 11/4 while Imperial Shabra was last of the three finishers seven lengths back at 25/1 after Action Master crashed out at the last.
The winner, who is owned by Byerley Thoroughbred Racing Club, won his novice chase on the first time of asking on his seasonal debut over 2m 3f at Naas in November.
He then finished second behind Flemenstar over 2m again at Naas before running a cracker to finish just three and a quarter lengths third in the Grade 1, Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase over 2m 5f at Leopardstown in February behind Last Instalment.
On his last start the bay gelding was upped to 3m in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham where he finished a well beaten sixth of nine behind Bobs Worth.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said afterwards: "I brought him back in trip and I don’t know if it was the quality of the race but he seemed to like it.
"On his hurdles form I thought he wanted a trip. I might experiment more with him now and even go back to 2m with him. His jumping is so sharp.
"I don’t know if there is much more for him now."
Donal Murphy & Gary Carson
