Walsh produces another magical performance on Red Square Lady
Philips, who rode some 200 winners as an amateur - on the track and in points - hopes to have about 18 horses at his Fethard, Co Tipperary base for the winter.
He has held a licence for a year and a half and this was his fourth winner.
It was a magical performance from Walsh.
Moydrum Castle went for home well before the turn in and looked in charge for most of the straight.
But she blundered at the second last, and again at the final flight, and Walsh, quick as a flash, drove Red Square Lady past on the run in.
Commented Philips: “She’s had six runs on that sort of ground since Punchestown and will have a break now.”
Walsh went on to complete a 21.5-1 double when driving Barna Dream to victory in the Goggin and Buckley Handicap Hurdle.
Val O’Brien’s gelding didn’t appear particularly well weighted, following a narrow victory over the moderate Hegarty at Ballinrobe on Sunday.
But with Walsh aboard anything is possible and Barna Dream got the best of a three-way war with Complete Circle and Great Character from the last.
It is a real rarity to hear a trainer say he has no complaints with the handicapper, but that was the case with Sixmilebridge, Co Clare handler, Joseph Quinn, after his Elva Express had followed up a recent Down Royal success by taking the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
Elva Express was given an excellent ride by Padraig Beggy, easing ahead off the home turn and staying on strongly to hold Lil Doyle.
Said Quinn: “The handicapper only put him up 5lbs after the last day, I wonder will he be as lenient again?
“He’s no star, but a tough, honest horse, who is well handicapped over hurdles and capable of winning one of them as well.”
Dermot Weld, currently in America supervising Simple Exchange’s challenge for tonight’s American Derby, missed seeing his Upperville land the Irish Stallion Farms’ Fillies Maiden.
The daughter of Selkirk was given a fine ride by Shane Gorey, making practially all the running.
She was attacked through the final furlong on one side by heavily-backed Sakkara and on the other by Ragtime Blues, but held on well to score by a neck and a head.
Upperville did weave about a bit under pressure, but the result clearly wasn’t affected and no alteration to the placings was the verdict, following a stewards’ inquiry.
Gorey - this took his career tally to eight - was, however, found guilty of careless riding and suspended for one day. He was also ordered to attend RACE for a day's tuition.
Desert Tigress, dropped in class after finishing fourth to Silk And Scarlet in a Listed race at Leopardstown, justified odds of 1-3 in the Irish Stallion Farms’ Maiden.
For a while she found it difficult enough to get a run, but once in the clear scampered past Fontanally Springs to score with plenty in hand.
Jamie Spencer partnered Desert Tigress and is now one short of the half-century of winners for the campaign.
Drumavish Lass, impressive when getting off the mark on this track, landed a tasty gamble in the Bumper, 5-2 from 9-2. She quickened in style for Damian Murphy, this was his 16th winner, inside the furlong pole to master Mamouma Gale.
Cupids Ray, taken off his feet against the smart Osterhase at the Curragh, found the company more to his liking in the Cork Barbeque Handicap.
Indeed, for much of this five furlongs it looked a similar story, but Cupids Ray finally hit top gear to collar trail-blazing Dollivius inside the furlong pole and the late rush of Mrs St George was never a worry.
