Dare To Doubt soars over the last to win easily at Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Dare To Doubt (1/1f) put a disappointing run on the flat at Leopardstown eight days ago behind her to readily take the Dermot Casey Tree Care Hurdle over two and a half miles at Cork.
Ruby Walsh was content to sit in second on Dare To Doubt as Whodoyouthink (10/3 from 9/2 in the morning) was well clear in front, but the pair were travelling ominously well and closed up before three out in the feature race on the card.
At that hurdle Alpine Eagle took a crashing fall when racing third. Dare To Doubt then hit the front from the tiring Whodoyouthink at the second last and pulled clear at the last to score by nine lengths in a canter.
It was 54 lengths back to Finger Onthe Pulse in third. He beat fourth-placed Island Wood by a head in the five-runner contest.
Alpine Eagle got up after his fall and was reported to be ok.
Afterwards Ruby Walsh was asked about Dare To Doubt’s poor performance on the level at Leopardstown where she finished sixth of 12 runners when 11/10 favourite in a mile and six maiden. He replied: “She’s a filly and it could be any one of 100 reasons.”
Gary Davies, travelling head lad for successful trainer Willie Mullins, said: “She got there easily and seemed to enjoy the ground. I’m pretty sure she is in foal to Stowaway.”
Mick Darcy, jockey on Whodoyouthink, picked up a three-day ban for improper riding for squeezing up the winner at the second last flight.
Michael Graham (on course reporting by Alan Magee)
