Walsh has a possible star in the shape of Southern Vic
Carrying the colours of Brenda Graham, the matriarch of the Graham clan - one of the leading bookmaking firms in the country - Southern Vic did his job with a real touch of style.
He was taken as high as 2-1 in the morning and was a sustained order on track, finding 9-10 from 6-4.
The five-year-old, in the hands of Gary Hutchinson, was always travelling well within himself, as he tracked the leading Flying Paragan.
He flew his flights and Hutchinson allowed him edge ahead going to the fourth last.
Southern Vic quickly lengthened and only had to be pushed out in the closing stages to beat Bright Gas unextended by seven lengths.
“He won a point-to-point for Tom Costello and he sent him up to me”, said Walsh. “I am delighted for Brenda, who doesn’t go racing very often (she was there this time). I have known the Grahams for donkeys years.
“It will be a winners’ race somewhere next, between two and a half and three miles. He is a lovely horse who will ultimately make a three mile chaser. He will go over fences next season.”
Charlie Swan took his tally for the Christmas to five when Paul Carberry guided Strong Project to a comfortable success in the Coyle Hamilton Willis Beginners Chase.
Carberry, riding right at the top of his form, got some brilliant leaps from the front-runner, shaking off market leader, Beechcourt, who erred three out, with ease in the straight.
Said Swan: “He’s a lovely old horse, who’s had lots of leg problems and has broken down three times. I regarded him as a dodgy jumper, but Paul cured that. He has a high rating over hurdles, so will go for a winners of one over fences next.”
The irrepressible Carberry was on the mark again with a superbly timed front-running display aboard Michael Hourigan’s Almier in the Madigans’ Novice Handicap Hurdle.
It was a decent effort on the part of the grey, under top weight, after Carberry had kicked him clear off the home turn.
Hourigan wasn’t at the meeting, so plans are on hold, but will surely find another suitable opportunity in the near future for the improving son of Phardante.
And then Carberry was at his cheekiest to land a treble aboard Carndale for Noel Meade in the Vivian Dowd Memorial Handicap Chase.
Meade greeted his winner with some relief, having seen three of his charges - they started favourite in their respective contests - fail on Tuesday. “They all scoped wrong”, he said.
Carndale and Tristernagh were travelling equally easily heading to the last, but Tristernagh blundered badly and Carberry only asked for the minimum on the level.
“We messed up the last day (Fairyhouse), making far too much use of him”, commented Meade. “We’ll try and find something better for the horse now.”
Tom Taaffe’s Merdeka put up a smashing performance to take the Bumper, powering clear after Jamie Codd had nudged him into the lead turning in.
“He is a super athlete, this has given me as big a thrill as winning the King George with Kicking King”, said Taaffe.
“Don’t be surprised if I don’t run him again until next season.
“He’s already been popped over hurdles and fences and is a brilliant jumper.”
The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle was moderate, but produced a smooth winner in Estival Park.
He was pulling Martin Mooney’s hands out heading to the final flight, flicked over the obstacle and strode clear to score with any amount in hand.
