Mark Walsh maintains good start to season

Mark Walsh, who led the title-race for most of last season, until injured at Thurles in February, has started the new campaign in great style and doubled-up on Whatsforuwontgobyu and Mollyanna in the opening maidens hurdles in Sligo last night.

Trained for J P McManus by Tony Martin, 11/10 favourite Whatsforuwontgobyu sprinted clear of market rival Ring Chief on the run-in to land the opening Sligo GAA Race Day 18th August Maiden Hurdle, prompting his trainer to explain: “He had a lovely run the last day (fourth to Space Ship in Down Royal) and built on it. He jumped well and Mark got him nice and relaxed.”

Walsh followed-up and brought his seasonal tally to eight on board the Colin Bowe-trained Mollyanna, which outstayed Court Challenge in the Duke And Duchess of Cornwall Mares Maiden Hurdle. Bowe, who was not present, completed a double when 105-rated mare Mells Theater swooped on the run-in to get the better of favourite Definite Earl in the Martinstown Opportuity Maiden Hurdle, a third winner of the new season for riding star David Mullins.