Busted Tycoon with trainer Tony Martin© Photo Healy Racing
Busted Tycoon completed a remarkable hat-trick at this week's Galway festival when landing the Vision Express Mares Handicap Hurdle at Ballybrit this afternoon.
Tony Martin's charge had to pull out all the stops in the two-mile event to get up in the closing stages.
The Marju filly had been a cosy winner on the level here on Tuesday and doubled up on the Flat yesterday.
Turning out again less than 24 hours later she was sent off 11/10 favourite to gain the unprecedented treble.
Ruby Walsh settled his mount in the pack before making ground going to the second last. She was asked for a big leap to challenge at the final flight but was untidy.
Walsh conjured another run in the closing stages, however, as she pegged back Theonewiththeleg for a half-length success.
The winner was in fact winning her sixth race in a row, having also taken handicap hurdles over in Perth and Uttoxeter in June and landed a Tramore maiden hurdle back in April.
“It was vital the way Shane (Shortall) rode her yesterday that he left enough in reserve for today,” revealed Martin afterwards.
“If you saw her this morning you would never think that she had a race at all. To be honest at the start of the week I was hoping to get two runs into her and never really dreamed that she could win three in a week.
“She's very versatile trip wise and she could have won over a mile-and-a-half here yesterday or she could go up in trip.”
Reflecting on the week Martin added: “You could never picture having eight winners over the week.
“You always need a bit of luck. I thought Another Ambition was one of my best chances this week but he fell on Friday.
“This is such a unique meeting and you have to set your stall out well in advance as it's so competitive.”
Ruby Walsh also paid credit to the winner afterwards:- “She's a tough mare to pull out three times in a week and especially considering she only won yesterday evening.
“She jumped well and travelled well and battled when she had to. They went quick early but then stopped and completely pulled up. In fairness to her she stuck her head down from the back of the last and got there.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
