Shandon stars in novice hurdle
Walsh was seen at his patient best on the Willie Mullins-trained Shandon Star in the Tommy Victor Novice Hurdle, settling his mount in mid division before gradually closing on the leaders on the final circuit. He delivered his challenge on the inside approaching the final flight and appeared to have the race in safe-keeping when his nearest rival Mr Fitzer crashed, leaving Walsh’s mount to triumph over favourite Duneden.
Curragh trainer Kevin O’Brien expressed his relief after Seagull Eile completed a long overdue win in the Bank of Ireland Handicap Hurdle, completing the former champion’s double.
This time, Walsh had his mount close to the pace throughout and, having edged ahead with five to jump, battled back bravely in the closing stages to land the spoils in the colours of the Cill Airne racing syndicate.
Later, Walsh’s sister Katie extended her impressive strike rate when providing trainer Willie Mullins with the second leg of his double, partnering Keaveney to victory in the Mullingar Flat Race.
In the opener, Feel Good Factor, a costly failure in his two previous starts, outclassed his rivals to triumph under Davy Russell. The 6/4 favourite was ridden closer to the pace on this occasion and had his rivals in trouble at the second last flight before recording a smooth success.
Winning trainer Pat Doyle explained that this half-brother to such top class performers as Opera House and Kayf Tara is probably best suited by two miles and he nominated a winner’s event at Bellewstown as the horse’s next objective en route to a handicap engagement at the Galway festival.
Trainer Noel Meade and 3lb claimer Denis O’Regan, successful with Moratorium at Gowran on Sunday, struck again when Kinshasa recorded a shock win in the Horseleap Handicap Hurdle, getting the better of Alpha Jet, which had headed him briefly after the final hurdle.
Some controversy followed the race as connections of the runner-up were angry that one section of the final obstacle, flattened on the previous circuit, had not been replaced and arguing that this situation may have cost their charge victory.
