Dream Champion has no problem defying mandatory penalty

TRAINER Tony Martin had further cause to celebrate the recent return to action of champion jockey Ruby Walsh at Bellewstown last night where they combined to record a double with Pires and Dream Champion, repeating their achievement in Ballinrobe on Sunday.

Pires was given a typically cool Walsh ride to land the Anglo Printers Hurdle at the expense of Hamalka, drawing clear on the run-in to triumph by three and a half lengths.

Martin said: “He’s a good little horse, but has never enjoyed the rub of the green. He hadn’t run over hurdles for a year but, with luck, this is a step in the right direction. He must have good ground and we’ll probably mix it with him over the next few months, once the ground is right. He might go to Listowel.”