Walsh keeps cool as Silent Native prevails in tense finish
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.
“This one is really special. We will look for another good class staying race with decent prize money for him and time will tell whether he is as good as I think he is,” said Mullins.
Joint favourite Galtee View came out on top in the opening Slievena mon Maiden Hurdle.
Given an excellent ride, by Alan Crowe, who was recording his 13th success, the five-year-old was never out of the first three as Union Showdown made the running. However, Galtee View took closer order turning for home and took the lead at the last before going on to win by a length and a half from Call Me Judy, who was doing her best work at the finish.
All I Need Is A Miracle lived up to his name in the Munster Handicap Hurdle when recording his first success. Trained by Norman Cassidy in Naas, the nine-year-old was at the rear of the nine runner field for most of the way. However, he made up ground steadily coming down the hill to be third into the straight behind Rosamio and Carvilla. There was little between the trio until just before the last, where All I Need Is A Miracle hit the front and pulled away to score by two lengths.
Jockey Cyril Goodwin said: “this is my third winner over hurdles and I ride out in the morning for the Michael Halford stable. Race riding is only a hobby of mine as I have a number of horses of my own”.
A gamble on Bobington, backed from 5/2 to 7/4 favourite, came unstuck in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race as Hidden Cave, the early market leader, won rather handily by a length and a half from April Dancer.
Never out of the first three, Sean Cleary took her to the front about two furlongs down and she was always holding the challenge of April Dancer in the closing stages. This success puts Sean two winners ahead of Catherine Gannon in the race for the apprentice championship.
