Walsh & O'Brien team-up with Choungaya After being placed on his last three starts, Choungaya made the breakthrough in the opener at Tipperary this afternoon, the Join The Tipperary Supporter's Club Maiden Hurdle. Seventh on his debut over flights at Navan last December, the Joseph O'Brien trained five-year-old since took minor honours in three bumpers. Back over flights this afternoon, the son of Walk In The Park was sent off an 8/1 chance with Mark Walsh aboard for Gigginstown House Stud. Settled behind the leaders, the bay victor took closer order in second from three out, and got to the front after the next. He went a few lengths clear approaching the final flight, and kept on well from there to score by four and three parts of a length. Pike County (14/1) came through to take second on his debut over flights, while the front-running Visioman (9/2) was another half a length back in third. The favourite Monbeg Worldwide (9/4 to 11/8 on-course) finished a disappointing fifth under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott. Mark Walsh, who was recording his second in the success in the Gigginstown colours, said afterwards: "He was good. He ran in a hurdle on his first run and then ran well in three bumpers. Joseph said to be good and positive on him today. "He jumped his way down the back upside Rachael (Blackmore, on leader Visioman) and we fairly sprinted in the straight but he sprinted best. It was a good performance by him." The winner was bought for E165,000 by Willie Mullins and Harold Kirk at the Goffs Landrover Sale in 2016. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
