Jump jockeys do not come any better than Ruby Walsh and the Co Kildare rider recorded three winners at Tralee yesterday.
Walsh dealt bookies a bad hand in the 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle when winning on the well backed 6/4 favourite Red Square Lady. Winning trainer Michael Philips later reported 'she likes that fast ground although every day you run, you are taking a chance with it.' He added 'she was balloted out eight times in bumpers so we decided to go hurdling. Ruby gave her a brilliant ride.'
The second Walsh winner was on Michael Hourigan's Spin In The Wind in the Tralee Handicap Hurdle. The daughter of Moscow Society led travelling well after the second last hurdle but needed to be driven out to hold the late challenge of Hordago by a head.
Afterwards Hourigan stated 'she needs to race left handed so she'll probably go over the road to race at Killarney in a few weeks time.' The winner is owned by Lady Petersham, who according Hourigan 'was the last person I worked for.'
Walsh added the three mile handicap chase with Pat Fahy's Mister Euro. The winner was raced prominently throughout before Walsh sent the gelding to the front at the third last, staying on well for a three length win.
A Ruby Walsh four timer looked likely in the sixth race, the beginners' chase, on Moss Bawn. However the Michael Hourigan trained gelding took a notable walk in the betting, eventually returned the 7/4 favourite from an opening show of 4/5. Moss Bawn finishing fifth but was later found to be lame behind.
The race went to John Nallen's Minella Captain who received a strong drive from Ken Whelan to head Clearly In Motion well inside the final furlong.
Nallen was absent but Whelan did say 'Minella Captain was a bit too careful over a few fences but really got going after jumping the last. He handled that ground well.'
Locally trained Rampart was a popular winner of the Liberator Handicap Hurdle for owner/trainer Paudie O'Connor and promising seven pound claimer Kevin Coleman. O'Connor reported 'the horse deserved that win as he was second in Tramore last Saturday. Kevin gave him an excelent ride. It's only my second success from only a few runners and feels great to win at my local track!'
The defeat of 4/7 favourite Sort It Out in the opening Fenit Maiden Hurdle did odds-on punters no favours, with victory instead going to Joe Murphy's Murrurundi. The 9/1 winner came from behind to head Sort It Out at the final flight, eventually being driven out by Willie Slattery to win by three lengths.
A delighted Murphy later commented 'Sort It Out goes on any ground and Willie gave her every chance to get into the race today.'
The concluding bumper was won by Foxy Fred in the very capable hands of Roger Loughran, getting the better of the Aidan O'Brien trained King Of Spades a tight finish.
Thomas Weekes.
