Walsh gets New Year off to a flyer
The Kildare man, who rode five winners at Limerick’s Christmas meeting, has now reached the 60-winner mark for the campaign, six clear of nearest pursuer Paul Townend.
Frank Berry, Racing Manager to J P McManus, owner of both Noble Emperor and Sword Fish, enthused: “Mark is riding with a lot of confidence, which comes from riding good horses.”
Those comments came after Walsh gave Sword Fish a typically confident ride to beat last year’s winner Thelobstercatcher in the Boylesports Irish Grand National @ Fairyhouse Handicap Chase.
Berry added: “That makes up for the last day, when he just got chinned. Mark said he enjoyed the ground and travelled well. We’ll look for another similar staying handicap for him.”
Odds-on favourite Noble Emperor, middle leg of Walsh’s treble, gained a bloodless, twenty-two lengths win in the Fairyhouse Supporting Ratoath Beginners Chase after market rival and nearest pursuer, Moonshine Lad, lost his action quickly and was pulled up approaching the third last fence.
The 1/2 shot was the second leg of a double for trainer Tony Martin, successful earlier with Mydor (Shane Shortall) in the Special Offers in Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle, who explained: “He’s still, a big baby – he has a big frame and, as this was only his fifth run, there’s loads of room for improvement. Jumping and staying are his strengths, but we’ll tread carefully with him and won’t rush anything.”
Mark Walsh had initiated his double when Missyspet, trained in Johnstown, County Kilkenny by Michelle Gannon, justified 7/2 favouritism in the Fairyhouse Members Mares Maiden Hurdle prompting her trainer to declare: “She’s a deadly mare and we’re lucky to have her. She’s a great jumper, a chaser in the making.”
Trainer Peter Fahey was another Kildare man to enjoy a great start to 2015, completing a double with 33/1 shot O Ceallaigh in the opening maiden hurdle and the well-backed joint-favourite Frontline in the Start The New Year @ Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.
Prominent throughout, O Ceallaigh turned over 4/11 shot Stuccodor, which came from well off the pace under Davy Russell but could only get within two and a half lengths of the winner.
“It’s great for Andrew (Leigh) – he’s an important part of the team and a great worker. He hasn’t been getting the opportunities he deserves. I told him not to be afraid to bowl along, if there was no pace, and it paid off. We’ll have to sit down and make a plan for this horse now.”
Ironically, Davy Russell provided Fahey with the second leg of his double, on board Frontline, which recovered from a last-flight mistake to beat top-weight Asitsohappens in the two-mile handicap hurdle.
“It’s the first time I’ve had a clear run with him since he won his bumper,” stated Fahey. “Everything went wrong with the horse, but, fair play, the owners stuck with it. Davy said he handled the ground well, but was a bit idle. We’ll look for another handicap for him.”
Gordon Elliott successful with Roi Du Mee in the featured At The Races Chase in Tramore, completed an across-the-card double with Jetstream Jack, an emphatic winner of the bumper under Nina Carberry.
The five-year-old Beneficial gelding also gave owner Diana Whateley a bumper double within a few minutes as the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Dreaming also triumphed in Cheltenham.
“I think that’s the owner’s first winner trained in Ireland. He’s a grand horse and will go for a winners bumper – he won’t go hurdling until next season.”
