Spaceman takes flight
Spaceman certainly had to get the full Walsh treatment, finding plenty for pressure to master favourite, Mr Muji, from the final flight.
Said Hourigan: “He’s a horse who has promised, but has never delivered, but by God he delivered for this man today. He will go for a four-year-old hurdle at Limerick on Sunday and I hope Ruby will ride again.”
Mr Muji did well to take the runner-up berth. He wasn’t good over the first and then stumbled badly at the back of the second and his turn should not be long delayed.
The Joe Crowley-rained Prospectorous stepped well up on his first run over flights at Clonmel to take the Sponsor A Race in 2008 three-year-old Maiden Hurdle and initiate a double for Walsh.
Priest Field appeared to have taken his measure going to the second last, but Walsh got a renewed effort from his partner and Prospectorous was well on top in the closing stages to score by two lengths. Damien Byrne represented Crowley and said: “He will probably go to Cork for a winners of one.
He made a mistake at the second at Clonmel and it never happened for him after that.”
Most exciting performance of the day came from Call Bewleys in the first division of the Well Chosen @ Kedrah House Stud Beginners Chase.
Making his debut over fences and carrying the colours of Michel O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, he gave an exhibition of jumping.
Never out of second gear for Davy Russell, Call Bewleys led three out and hardly broke sweat to win by a dozen lengths.
Commented trainer, Philip Rothwell: “I schooled him the other day and he was amazing. I don’t know what route we will go, I will have to talk to Mr O’Leary.
“It’s possible he will head to Cheltenham in November and back there again in March, but he is a good ground horse.”
Said Russell: “He’s a pure natural, for a big horse he is so agile.”
Two then for Walsh and one for Russell leaves the duo locked together at the top of the jockeys’ championship on 59 winners apiece.
Jessica Harrington’s charges are in terrific shape and her Albanov made an impressive start to the campaign in the Kirbys’ Pharmacy Tipperary Hurdle.
He cantered ahead for Barry Geragthy between the final two flights to beat always prominent Mill House Girl unextended.
“He’s a much stronger horse this season”, reported Harrington.
“He has been schooled and the plan is to go chasing now.”
The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle looked wide open, but punters got it right with Tom Hogan’s market-leader, Native Royal, obliging.
Produced by Kevin Coleman to edge ahead coming away from two out, Native Royal was a trifle awkward at the last, but it made no difference.
Said Hogan: “That was a great ride by Kevin. She is a tricky mare, who has to be dropped out and covered up.”
Wishwillow Lord put up a fine display to defy top weight for Paul Carberry in the Nolan Ryan Handicap Chase.
Carberry went for glory over the second from home and Wishwillow Lord wasn’t found wanting, easing away to beat Show Blessed by five lengths. “He’s getting his jumping together and that’s a big help”, reported trainer, Leonard Whitmore.
Monty Mint justified favouritism in the second section of the Well Chosen @ Kedrah House Stud Beginners Chase.
Tom Foley’s charge was left clear at the final fence when the challenging River Nurey took a crashing fall.
