After the excitement of Traverse's success the previous day, a 139/1 double for Ruby Walsh was the main story to come from yesterday's action at Ballinrobe.
Indemnity set the ball rolling, taking the opener in good style. Jumping well in Walsh's hands, Michael O'Brien's French import recorded a good four length success, with the trainer's representative, Denis Cullen stating 'he a nice horse and the boss likes him a lot.'
The Kildare rider combined with Leslie Young in the handicap hurdle. Here, Walsh produced Lets Try Again with a storming late run to catch Mr Meyer who had made a valiant attempt to make all the running. An enquiry into the improvement in form of the winner as compared to his last start, accepted the explanation of different riding tactics, held up here after being prominent last time.
Those harbouring hopes of the former champion jockey making it three were left disappointed after the novice chase. Despite jumping with great aplomb throughout, Quadco just failed to hold off favourite, Junior Fontaine and Conor O'Dwyer who prevailed by a head after a protracted tussle.
J P McManus was on hand to greet his odds-on victor, Jones's Road in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle. The Tom Taaffe-trained gelding needed all of Barry Geraghty's strength in the saddle to hold off 16/1 outsider, Headford Lad.
There was drama aplenty in the handicap chase. Runfar led to the first but came down there and in the process brought down gamble of the contest, Big Frank (16/1 into 6/1). Friendly Conflict was still within a few lengths of the leaders when running out at the third last.
However that was only a warm up for what was to come. Angela's Way with Conor O'Dwyer and Wests Awake with Davy Russell had what's best described as a close competition for space on the approach to the final obstacle. The upshot of which was that both horses ran out missing out the last.
Timmy Murphy, beaten in third place aboard Knockawad didn't need to be asked twice to avail of his sudden opportunity, Michael Hourigan's runner coming home a fortuitous twenty-length winner.
A Steward's Enquiry didn't attribute any blame to either Conor O'Dwyer or Davy Russell, deciding that both horses had run out.
Elsewhere, Fairy Secret benefited from a superb Paul Carberry ride, securing the inner off the home turn to run out an eased down six length winner of the handicap hurdle for Tony Martin whilst Limerick handler Andrew McNamara had a welcome change of luck when his son and namesake guided Ballysheedy to victory in the bumper.
