Ruby Walsh has enjoyed a profitable time recently at his local track, and the reigning champion was again on the mark with a double highlighted by the feature race success of Heezapistol in the Juvenile Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was up with the pace throughout, and stayed on well in the straight to beat Newhall by three and a half lengths. James Nash, representing the holidaying successful trainer, said, 'He pulled muscles in his back when disappointing at Fairyhouse last time, and may now head straight for the Triumph Hurdle.' He was given a 20/1 quote by both Cashmans and Ladbrokes for the Festival.
Walsh teamed up with his father Ted half-an-hour to land the T Bourke & Co Handicap Chase with An Modh Direach, who headed Aura About Him before the last for a hard-earned half length success. Ted Walsh also recorded a double on the afternoon when Native Leisure was driven out by Gary Hutchinson to hold Homestead by one and a half lengths in the Kilteel Handicap Hurdle.
Sheltering gave odds-on punters no worries when justifying a starting price of 1/3 in the Vincent Doherty & Co Hunters Chase. Philip Fenton sent the son of Strong Gale into a clear lead over half a mile out, and they came home a distance clear. There was mayhem in behind at the final fence where both Over The Bens and Montebank refused, Polaris Flame fell and brought down Mister Pepper. The latter remounted to be last of the four finishers.
'I was very disappointed he didn't get to Cheltenham last year, but hopefully he will get there this year,' said trainer Edward O'Grady of the ten-year-old gelding, who is 3/1 (from 7/2) with Cashmans for the Christie's Foxhunter Chase. O'Grady added, 'He did it well for a horse who doesn't like that ground, and will have another run at Leopardstown in the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunter Chase on February 10.'
Tom Taaffe's stable is in fine form at present, and Good Shuil added to his tally when making virtually all in the EBF Beginners Chase. Barry Geraghty's mount had his task eased when market-rival No Discount was brought down at halfway, and Taaffe commented afterwards, 'He has the build of a chaser, jumped well and galloped away. He will go now for the 45,000 euro Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas next Saturday.'
Alan Magee
