Surplus rain no problem for Loch Ard! Loch Ard, a horse named after a lake, will surely prove the most appropriately named winner of the day on Ladies' Day at Punchestown today, having justified 6/4 favouritism to win the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh. The son of Pivotal moved to the front before the final flight and was well clear of Wreckin Rock when that nearest pursuer came down at the final flight. Loch Ard eventually went on to record a 33 lengths win over Un Beau Matin. Conditions don't come much worse that today's ground but Mullins subsequently pointed out “these are the sort of conditions he wants!” “We'll try to find another race for him if the weather stays like this but he's on the team for France and will probably go for the four year old hurdle at Auteuil next. Regarding the ground, the Champion Trainer added “they're galloping through it as it is good and loose. When water is lying on the track it rides loose, but when it dries out it will get very gluey and be a lot more tiring.” Walsh added “the ground isn't too bad - the water is lying on top but it's all surface water. There's a good bottom to it and it is perfectly safe. Loch Ard travelled well, jumped well and found plenty in 'the death'. He's a fairish horse and he did it well.”
