Ruby Walsh struck the front in the jump jockeys championship when giving Fort George (8/1, from 10's)) a positive ride to take division one of the two and a half miles Paulstown Maiden Hurdle.
Walsh, now one ahead of Davy Russell on the 12 winner mark at this early stage of the season, had the eight-year-old gelding up with the pace throughout and gained a vital five length lead when kicking clear entering the straight.
However God's County (7/4), ridden by Russell and trained by Walsh's father Ted, had reduced the advantage to about two lengths when losing his hind footing on landing after the last.
Fort George had no worries from that point and strode clear on the run-in to score by eight lengths, with Mr Shahady (18/1) a further three lengths adrift in third. The 13/8 favourite Seader found little under pressure after two out finishing another seven lengths away in fourth.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “He jumped great and stayed at it well. He seemed to lose his confidence over fences. He was unlucky not to win his beginners chase a few times, and was rated 125 over fences at one stage. Andrew (Lynch) suggested to go back over hurdles, and he'll stay over hurdles for the moment.”
Alan Magee
