Drama as Cootamundra justifies odds-on

LOCALLY-TRAINED Cootamundra survived late drama to justify odds-on favouritism in the Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle at Wexford last night, sparking a treble for Ruby Walsh, completed on the Tony Martin-trained pair Redera and Somatic.

Backed into 10/11 favouritism and given a typically cool ride by former champion Walsh, John Berry’s charge was challenging and almost alongside Sligo when that rival crashed, hampering eventual runner-up Carbon Credit and third Dizzy Rascal.

Ruby Walsh’s reins were snapped by the flailing legs of the faller and, after passing the final fence, Cootamundra hung left across the track before scoring by five lengths, prompting winning trainer Berry to comment: “That has been threatening for a long time and we had the right man on board today. He’ll keep going through the summer.”