Treble and crashing fall for Walsh
Walsh was seen at his best when scoring on Sorry Al, Pedro Bob and Mountain Snow which became his 51st winner of the season in Ireland when landing the Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Handicap Hurdle.
Clearly shaken following a third flight fall from Valshan in an earlier handicap hurdle, Walsh struggled to return to the weigh room after Mountain Snow’s win and, admitting to being “stiff and sore”, gave up the ride on The Culdee in the later handicap chase.
It’s uncertain how long Walsh will be on the sidelines but he is most unlikely to ride over the coming days, a situation which also applies to another former champion, Barry Gerraghty, who was winded and sore and bruised above his left eye following a fall from Thunder Road.
On the positive side, Walsh made all the running to the win the opening Ryans Event Cleaners Novice Hurdle on the Charlie Swan’s trained favourite, Sorry Al, which stretched clear between the last two flights for an emphatic win. The winning rider said: “He loves that fast ground and a good jump at the second last probably sealed it.”
Pedro Bob, winner of three bumpers made a winning start to his hurdling career when providing Walsh with the second leg of his treble, justifying 2/7 favouritism and recording a workman-like victory in the Galway Bay FM Maiden Hurdle.
Winning trainer, Tony Mullins, explained: “His jumping was a bit novicy and he probably needs further than two miles.
“Ruby said he would appreciate some cut in the ground and because he is seven, we won’t be delaying sending him chasing. I’m not sure where he’ll go next but I’ll look for a two and a half mile novice for him, maybe in Listowel”.
Mountain Snow recorded an overdue hurdle win when coming from well off the pace to win the Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Handicap Hurdle, hitting the front at the last before beating Amisina. Trainer, Willie Mullins said: “Ruby gave him a vintage ride. The fast pace suited him and he’ll go to Listowel now. I’ll look for a suitable race over two and a half miles.”
Rocking Ship, trained by Joanna Morgan and enterprisingly ridden by Joey Elliott, made virtually all the running to win the Smirnoff Handicap Chase, jumping superbly and clearly appreciating the fast ground.
The 12/1 winner was joined by the flattering Curfew Tolls at the second last fence but the challenger lost momentum when making a mistake and Rocking Ship was in command on the long run-in. This winner could also head for Listowel, unless the ground turns soft.
Denis O’Regan rode his final winner as a 3lb claimer when Carlesimo won the Deacy and Associates Novice Chase in good style from Galway Plate runner up, Ursomeman. The winner is trained by Noel Meade who commented: “That was Denis’ last ride with his claim and both the horse and rider did everything right. I was delighted with the performance and there’s another suitable race for him at Listowel, if the ground is right.”
Sanadja, beaten at Downpatrick on Monday, made amends for trainer, Dick Donohoe, when landing the Kenny Development Group handicap hurdle but there was a sting in the tail for winning rider, Davy Condon, who picked up a two-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
