Walsh goes seven clear

RUBY Walsh, who will be in action at Newton Abbot today and tomorrow, notched his 33rd success of the season and moved seven ahead of Paul Carberry in the championship race when Vital Plot proved an impressive winner of the Duke Of York Hurdle at Down Royal last night.

The Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old, backed from 7/2 to 5/2, was following-up a maiden success at Kilbeggan last Friday, quickening clear impressively on the approach to the second last flight before beating Helvic Head eased down by six lengths.

“He’s a better horse than I thought,” admitted Walsh after dismounting the son of Theatrical while winning trainer Weld, speaking by phone, quipped: “Follow a winning team, myself and Ruby. He gave the horse a super ride again. He’s an improving horse. I’ll try to find another ‘novice’ for him.”