Double delight for Walsh–Nicholls

RUBY WALSH rode his first winners for Paul Nicholls in this country when Sporazene landed the featured IAWS Champion four-year-old Hurdle and Le Roi Miguel the Swordlestown Cup Novice ’Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

The duo have developed into a terrific combination cross-channel and these were two fine Grade One prizes to add to their alreaady considerable gains for the campaign.

Sporazene, who had proved disappointing until being gelded, was stepping up in class in the four-year-old hurdle, but made the graduation in style. Walsh sent him to the front off the home turn and hard as Spectroscope, who had hard races at both Cheltenham and Aintree, tried he could never reel in the leader.