Our Ben difficult to oppose
He partners Our Ben in the featured Listed Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase and the eight-year-old is difficult to oppose.
It has largely been a case of unfulfilled promise for Willie Mullins' gelding, but there is no denying his prospects against this opposition.
Our Ben ran well enough on his seasonal debut at Thurles at the end of November and showed at Leopardstown last week he had come on plenty for that much needed outing.
Carrying top weight, 11-10, in a handicap, the selection was beaten two lengths into second by Mansony and had one of his principal rivals now, Django (rec. 23lbs), just under three lengths away in fourth.
Walsh partners Mullins' Financial Reward in the Heineken W T O'Grady Memorial Hurdle and they are the combination to beat.
Michael O'Brien's Deputy Consort would have been the choice, but he is reportedly set to miss the race, having suffered what his trainer described as a “hiccup” yesterday morning.
In any case, Financial Reward comes here in good shape, after finishing a creditable fourth behind Lounaos in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown.
A third Walsh-Mullins possibility is Nay, a horse who has clearly had his problems, in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
This is not the strongest of contests and the six-year-old has an obvious chance, on his third behind Shanghide and Final Orders at Punchestown last month.
Walsh teams up with Wickford for Colm Murphy in the INH Stallion Owners' EBF Novice Hurdle, but the nap vote falls on Noel Meade's Bridge Run in this race.
Winner of a point-to-point and a Galway bumper, Bridge Run was impressive on his hurdling debut when scoring in fine style at Gowran Park.
