Ruby Walsh came to the rescue of favourite backers when ‘steering’ 10/11 favourite Cootamundra to a heart-stopping win in the Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle at Wexford this evening.

The winner received the usual ‘Walsh treatment’, gradually getting into contention and was about to hit the front at the final flight as only danger Sligo fell.

However, Sligo fell heavily, and awkwardly, appearing to kick Ruby Walsh’s reins, leaving the rider without a right rein on the run-in. Walsh succeeded in avoiding the chase fence but had virtually no control of Cootamundra in the final 100 yards, the gelding eventually finishing against the stands’ rail, for what proved a five lengths win over Carbon Credit

Afterwards winning trainer John Berry said “when Sligo fell, he snapped the reins from Ruby’s hands. However he had the right man on his back!”

“Cootamundra has been threatening to win for a long time and will be kept on the go over hurdles during the summer.”

Thomas Weekes