Ruby’s mixed day

Ruby’s mixed day

14 August 2013

WITH his association as stable jockey to top English trainer Paul Nicholls now a thing of the past, former champion jockey Ruby Walsh made a rare Sunday trip to Downpatrick where he had two well fancied runners.

Walsh’s first mount, 8/11 favourite Un Beau Roman, who won his maiden hurdle over course and distance back in April, was well supported in the Sunday Hospitality Hurdle and gave supporters no worries when making all to cruise past the line for a 24 lengths success for trainer Willie Mullins.

Walsh was out of luck when seeking a double in the maiden hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs just as he looked like making a bold bid for his second winner of the afternoon.

His mount Mr Groocock led over the third last flight but sustained a severe injury and was quickly pulled up. This allowed Colin Bowe’s 11/2 chance Little King Robin, a winner at the East Down Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Tyrella in March, a chance to shine and Mark Walsh wasted no time in sending his mount clear after the second last to score by seven lengths from 25/1 chance Ultra Light for trainer Robbie Hennessy.

The opening race of the afternoon saw a gamble landed in good style when Sea Rocket, available at 9/1 in the morning and backed down to 11/4 at the off, justified confidence in the market to win by a convincing 17 lengths in the hands of Alan Crowe for trainer Christy Roche.

Outsider I Had Your Man (25/1) caught the eye on her debut in second for trainer Harry Kelly with Overnova third under Andrew McNamara at 10/1.

Local hope Over Church Road was backed to go one better than last time at the track when finishing second, but faded out of contention two furlongs out before taking fourth spot under Andrew Lynch.

Those who follow horses for courses at Downpatrick were in the money again when 8/1 chance Pick Goddess made all to score a second track success for restricted trainer Geoff Cuthbert.

A winner on the track in July 2012, jockey Martin Ferris adopted similar front-running tactics on his way to a 10 lengths success on the 10-year-old mare.

Robbie Hennessy made amends for Ultra Light’s earlier defeat when saddling 14/1 chance Magnetic Force to win the handicap hurdle under Andrew Lynch, the pair grinding out victory up the hill after taking the lead following the final flight and battling hard to fend off the challenge of Brian Hayes on 12/1 chance Clondaw Warrior by a length and a quarter. Mark Walsh and Schelm took third place a further two lengths back for Clare trainer Ronald O’Leary.

On a tough day for the punters 12/1 chance Bouncing Betty and Keith Donoghue ran out a gutsy winner of the handicap hurdle when hitting the front at the second last flight and keeping enough in reserve to hold off High Talk who ran another creditable effort on a course he clearly appreciates in the hands of Sligo jockey Derek Fox.

Debutant Time For A Pint gave trainer Gordon Elliott yet another Downpatrick success when landing the bumper at a generous 14/1 for the Meath trainer under jockey David O’Leary, the pair hitting the front at the two furlong pole to deny Katie Walsh on Old Castletown by six lengths.

• Next meeting: Ladies’ Day, Monday, August 26.