Dinoblue delivers again as Mark Walsh claims 900th winner
Mark Walsh on Dinoblue wins The Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Steeplechase (Grade 2). Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Dinoblue provided Mark Walsh with a 900th career success when running out a smooth winner of the Grade Two Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase for a second successive year.
The dual Cheltenham Mares’ Chase heroine, sent off the 2-5 favourite, was travelling like the winner at every point of the contest and ultimately crossed the line six and a half lengths in front of stablemate Spindleberry.
Reflecting on his personal milestone, Walsh said: “Starting out, you just want to lose your claim and then when you want to lose your claim you want to ride big winners, so to get 900 is brilliant.”
On Dinoblue, Walsh added: “She was brilliant bar the third-last. She was meeting it a little wrong and she just came and was brave but that was the only blip. She was great. She can do it from the front, from the back, two miles, two and a half, two mile six, she’s very versatile. She can win at any trip and she likes it here. She’s a joy. She’s so easy to ride.”
Owner JP McManus's racing manager Frank Berry added: “She’s a rare one, she never lets us down. Willie has done a fabulous job with her to keep her sweet and Mark gets on great with her. Please God we’ll have her back here next year.”
Dinoblue was the first of four winners on the day for the absent Willie Mullins, the second coming in the QuinnBet Novice Handicap where 7-2 shot Funiculi Funicula backed up last month’s Cork victory by beating Norn Iron by three lengths.
Assistant trainer David Casey said: “He’s a horse we’ve always liked but he got beaten in his first couple of beginners’ chase, did well to win in Cork and he was good today so you’d obviously be delighted with him. He could possibly be a Galway Plate horse and he might get three miles when he strengthens ups. It was a good pot to get.”
There was a cracking finish to the second race as the Sam Curling-trained Wonderwall denied Its On The Line a fourth consecutive win in the Uniquely Champion Hunters Chase, a neck separating the pair at the line.
It was a significant success for Rob James as his 25th success on the racecourse saw his 7lb claim reduced to 5lb.
Curling said: “Rob gave him a lovely ride there. He’s a funny old horse, he likes plenty of room and light so it probably suits him better here. Its On The Line is a hard horse to beat but he managed it.”
Not for the first time this week, the opening race of the day produced a shock result as 28-1 shot Jetbob made every yard of the running to win the Stanley Asphalt Hunters Steeplechase for the Bishopscourt Cup.
The Seán Doyle-trained seven-year-old benefitted from a brilliantly-judged ride from Jamie Scallan as he ensured his mount kept enough in reserve when 4-5 favourite Hearts And Spades threatened to reel the leader in. Eleven lengths ultimately separated the first and second.
“This has been the plan for a while,” Doyle said. “He probably wanted that bit of dry ground. In fairness Jamie came out with a plan in his head and by God he executed it well.”
The final two races of the day produced two good battles as the Peter Fahey-trained Avalo got the better of British raider Pioneer Pete by a short head in the FRS Fencing Handicap Hurdle before 9-2 shot Largy Star tenaciously battled back after being headed by Premier Division to prevail the bumper, a first winner of the week for Gavin Cromwell.
