Walsh on target for another title as double puts him three clear
The current and three-times in all champion partnered Macs Flamingo to win the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Chase and followed by taking the Crobally Beginners Chase on Natural Storm at Tramore yesterday to move his total for the campaign onto 81.
That leaves him three clear of Barry Geraghty with Davy Russell an honourable third on 68. Macs Flamingo, supported at 7-4 in the morning and from 5-4 to evens on track, produced a smooth display.
He was always travelling well within himself, cruising to the front heading to the second last and then staying on for Walsh driving to beat former pointer, Oakendale.
Said Walsh: “He was very free and, when getting to the front, began to pull himself up. He could be an ideal horse for the John Hughes (Liverpool).”
Trainer, Pat Fahy, has been experiencing a horrendous time for many months, but there are definite signs his charges are on the way back.
Said Fahy: “I still have plenty who aren’t scoping right, but the ones we are running are going well. It is so frustrating when you have good horses not running to form.”
Fahy’s Mariah Rollins, fresh from a promising third to Hi Cloy and Fota Island over two and a half at Aintree, is now likely to head to Punchestown.
“Ruby thinks we should drop her back to two miles and we will do what the boss says”, reported Fahy.
Francis Flood’s Natural Storm finally put it all together, finding the opposition in the beginners chase to his liking.
General Alsarm held a big advantage for much of the journey, but Walsh timed his challenge to perfection and the winner eased past just before two out.
Said Flood: “We were worried for a while, but he (Walsh) had it well wired up. This horse will now go for a handicap and will stay further.”
Slippers Madden, fresh from a superb performance on Numbersixvalverde in the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, booted Rosamio to victory in the Tramore Racecourse Supporters’ Club Handicap Hurdle.
The grey daughter of Roselier made every yard of the running, answering the call from Madden to resist the persistent challenge of Fourpointone.
Commented trainer, Dick Donohoe: “He (Madden) is walking on air, is full of confidence and gave her a brilliant ride.
“She’s a handy little mare and obviously likes tight tracks. She might win another handicap.”
When Charles Byrnes saddles a winner the layers are often in deep trouble, but that wasn’t the case after the trainer’s Cailin Alainn had grabbed the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Mister Lord had run well over three miles at Naas previously and two miles round here seemed very much on the short side.
But the easy-to-back 8-1 shot coped in style, shooting ahead for Barry Cash coming away from the third last to score by an easy four lengths.
Shane Kelly, who trains near Kilbeggan, enjoyed a welcome turn when Sharp Doctor, formely in the care of Dusty Sheehy, easily won the www.tramore-racecourse.com Maiden Hurdle.
The Dr Massini gelding was given a fine drive by Michael Darcy, making all the running.
Darcy kicked clear from the third last and hard-ridden Zaffaran Star could make no sort of impression.
Darcy was out of luck, however, on Seisiun Eile in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The pair just about held the call when Seisiun Eile crashed out at the second last, the final fence was bypassed, leaving Mountgarry, who seemed to be going best anyway, in for a bloodless victory.
Abbeybraney, in the hands of Katie Walsh, enjoying her 20th success of the season, made all to beat Hide The Evidence in the Bumper.
