A Ruby Walsh treble was overshadowed by an accidental incident in the opening 3YO maiden hurdle at Roscommon today where six of the eight runners exited in amazing circumstances.
On the run to the first hurdle, front running Watermelon ran out through a wing, Rocknest Island attempted to run out, fell, and brought down Munching Mike, Good To Travel and Hello Man.
Good To Travel's jockey Jason Maguire was later taken to Roscommon hospital for x-rays on his leg.
The sixth casualty, Chinese Cherry also ran out in the mayhem, leaving 9/10 favourite Rusty Red and 10/1 shot Curragh Dancer to contest what became a match, with the market leader eventually winning by a length and a quarter.
Afterwards Rusty Red's trainer Joe Crowley reported 'he was lucky to avoid the incident and jumps well. We'll go for a winners' race now.'
Half an hour later Tom McCourt's Quai Du Roi provided Walsh with his second winner, in the Tulsk Handicap Hurdle.
McCourt later mentioned 'Quai Du Roi can race a bit freely but the fast pace today helped him. He may go to Bellewstown on Thursday but won't run on very fast ground.'
The absence of Line Ball and Moore's Law meant Walsh's third winner, Zeroberto, started the 1/7 favourite for the White House Hotel Hurdle, making all for an effortless win.
Winning trainer Dermot Weld was absent but reported by phone 'Zeroberto will go for either the Irish or English Cesarewitch next.'
Walsh was denied four winners in the Roscommon Race Dance Handicap Hurdle when his mount Rory's Sister was beaten by unconsidered 33/1 shot (136/1 on the Tote) Bulhill Flyer, under 7lb claimer Shane Hassett.
Bulhill Flyer was crediting Curragh based trainer Sabrina Harty, daughter of Buster Harty, with her first winner.
She later explained 'I have a restricted license about three years and receive my full license at the end of the month when I will have a few more runners.'
She added 'Bulhill Flyer is well bred, likes good ground and we knew he'd want a staying trip but I didn't back him!'
Niall Madden's Team Allstar landed a gamble (7/2 - 2/1) to record an easy win in the Sean Naughton Auctioneers Handicap Chase, under a good ride from Denis O'Regan.
Afterwards Madden mentioned 'he is a better horse going right handed and we might go back to the Flat with him now, he loves fast ground.'
Jessica Harrington's Django showed the benefit of six previous chase outings to win the Lecarrow Beginners Chase, under Tommy Treacy.
