Trek to Tramore for just one ride pays off for Walsh
Six faced the starter and Walsh rode the Willie Mullins trained gelding out the back for most of the trip.
He remained unconcerned entering the final three quarters of a mile, but soon made his move and Uncle Junior joined issue with Changing Course at the penultimate obstacle.
In front before the last, the winner powered clear and was a comfortable two and a half lengths to the good at the line.
Said Walsh: “He was entitled to win, but I’d say might struggle in a handicap off a mark of 130.”
The 12-year-old Hold The Pin, ridden by Bryan Cooper, showed there is plenty of life left in him when defying top weight in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
He was left in front at the final fence when Ballyvoile ran out, but appeared to have that one’s measure in any case.
The veteran is trained by Ian Browne at Donadea, Co Kildare and gave him his first winner at Down Royal last month.
Said Browne: “We bought him out of Tony Martin’s and a change of scenery has freshened the horse up, he thinks he’s a four-year-old!
“The ground wasn’t ideal, but we ran to see if he would go up in the weights, because the plan, if he gets in, is the Irish National.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Spill the Beans justified favouritism, under Andrew Lynch, in the Graun Hill Beginners Chase.
Kept off the track since October, waiting on better ground, he made a number of mistakes on the way round, especially at the third.
Spill The Beans still had far too many guns for these and was travelling much more powerfully than his nearest pursuer, Thepartysover, when that one blundered badly at the second last.
Said de Bromhead: “His jumping was a bit disappointing, but Andrew felt he wasn’t suited by the sharp bends. He’s a big, big horse and would prefer a more galloping track.”
Paul Carberry, reportedly injured at Aintree on Saturday, missed the winning ride on 16-1 shot Tico in the opening maiden hurdle.
Wexford trainer, Willie Codd, found an able deputy in Michael Doran, also seen to advantage aboard Far Away So Close in a handicap hurdle at Aintree on Saturday.
Lord Ben skipped ahead over three out and was some four lengths to the good at the final flight.
But he then found nothing on the flat and Tico came from the clouds to sweep past and score with plenty in hand at the end.
Commented Codd: “I was worried early doors, two miles round here was very sharp for him. He will tip away through the summer.”
Benefique, absent since finishing third in a Wexford bumper in August, stripped fit and well to take the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
Partnered by in-form Brian O’Connell and trained by Dan Fogarty at Gowran, Co Kilkenny, Benefique forged ahead before the second last to easily beat Presenting Ruby.
“We were waiting on better ground and she will now run through the summer”, said Fogarty.
