Walsh hits double at Clonme
Ruby Walsh enjoyed a fruitful afternoon at Clonmel as he took advantage of Davy Russell’s absence for a winning ride on Edeymi.
Russell, the retained jockey for Gigginstown House Stud, was serving a suspension and Tony Martin instead snapped up Walsh’s services for the Clonmel Maiden Hurdle.
Edeymi was the 2-7 favourite for this two-mile contest after coming up against useful types Shadow Catcher and Darroun in similar events at Punchestown and Leopardstown.
Walsh was quite literally Chasing Shadows as he tracked the front-runner, pushing Edeymi into the lead at the last and pulling three and a quarter lengths away.
“He deserved to win on his form, and had a great run at Leopardstown the last day,” said Martin.
“He made hard work of it but as a four-year-old, the (soft) ground may have taken its toll. All he can do is go on.
“He’s probably not good enough to be a Triumph Hurdle horse after his run the last day but he’ll get an entry in the Fred Winter.”
Walsh switched to his main Irish employer, Willie Mullins, to complete a short-priced double in the Powerstown Chase.
His mount Bishopsfurze, a smooth operator at a lower level but often disappointing when stepped out of his comfort zone, went off the 4-9 favourite for the two-mile conditions chase.
He was able to creep to the line by three-quarters of a length when Friendly Society wrecked his chance with a bad mistake at the second-last and Action Master found very little on the run-in.
Bishopsfurze is entered for the Jewson Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham but Mullins said: “We’ll keep it country for the time being.
“He’s learning how to make mistakes but get away with them. Experience is all he needs.
“It’s a pity with him because when he gets things right he’s spectacular. But he loses the plot occasionally. He’s learning slowly.”
The versatile Stephanie Kate (2-1), fifth in last year’s David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and placed over fences and hurdles in good company this term, gained a confidence-booster in the Munster Hurdle as she fought off Tofino Bay by two lengths.
Leading fancies Back In Focus and Dressedtothenines were both non-runners.
Winning trainer Charlie Swan said: “She’s tough and stays well but idles a bit in front.
“We might go back for the mares’ race at Cheltenham.
“She was fifth last year when she was a bit unlucky in running.
“She’s older and more mature now. She will stay hurdling for this season, and go back as a novice over fences next season.”
Walsh had another fancied ride in the Demense Maiden Hurdle but Mullins’ 8-15 favourite Are Ya Right Chief was only fourth behind Betterthanalright (14-1), who had little previous form of note.
