Walsh keeps cool as Silent Native prevails in tense finish

FRONT–RUNNING tactics paid off for Silent Native as he held off Golden Beacon in an exciting finish to the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel last evening.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the ten-year-old set the pace and still had four or five lengths to spare turning for home. Golden Beacon, with Barry Geraghty in the saddle, took up the chase but Silent Native, trained in Tramore by Paul Roche, was always holding the challenge and got home by half a length.

Theme Song, trained by Tony Mullins for the Brainwave Syndicate, won as all odds-on shots should when taking the Rathronan Maiden with 14 lengths to spare over Spin In The Wind at the line.