Waterford Whispers (green and gold) © Photo Healy Racing
The Corrib Oil Maiden Hurdle was won by Waterford Whispers (11/4) who added to a fine afternoon for his trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The Knockeen handler, celebrating his 51st birthday, had already completed a handicap chase double at Cheltenham with Dancing On My Own and Whacker Clan.
Here, on his second start, Waterford Whispers raced close to the pace and came to challenge at the last in between Beau Walking on the rail and Ataboycharlie on the stands' side. Mark Walsh, riding in the colours of J P McManus, pushed his mount to the front on the run-in and the Westerner gelding went away to beat Ataboycharlie by a length and a half.
Frank Berry, racing manager for the winning owner, said: "Mark said they went quite slow which gave him a chance as the few mistakes he made didn't lose him any ground. He was green, will learn a bit and is a fine big horse who will make a chaser some day.
"It wasn't much of a race but it was a nice opportunity to get him started. We'll find something for him down the road."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
