Punchestown opened its gates following a summer break, and local rider Mark Walsh had a day to remember when partnering his first winner aboard Shrug.
The gelding was produced by 16-year-old Walsh to lead approaching the last in the Peggy Barry-Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle, and stayed on gamely to score by three and a half lengths from Cara Is Fearr. The victory was also a first for Dunleer permit-holder Marcus Callaghan who said afterwards, 'I took out a permit last year, and this is the only one I have in training at present. I rang Christy Roche about booking a jockey, and he recommended Mark to me.'
Patriot Games and Patsy Veale provided the best finish of the seven race card in the four runner Panoramic Restaurant Rated Hurdle, with the former just prevailing for trainer/rider Charlie Swan. The eight-year-old gelding carries the colours of J P McManus, and may take his chance in the valuable John James McManus Hurdle at Tipperary next Sunday.
Barry Cash had an up and down afternoon as he missed out on a winning chance when Tacolino fell heavily two out when alongside Sean Connors in the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap Chase, but picked himself up off the floor to take the following Arthurstown Beginners Chase on It's Only Him.
Wexford handler Paul Nolan views Cloone River as a future chaser, and the Un Desperado gelding overcame the fast ground to beat Boy Scout by three lengths in the opening Event Centre Maiden Hurdle. The 7/4 favourite Dutch Lad had to be withdrawn after going lame at the start.
Alan Magee
