Jockey Ruby Walsh showed yet again why he is so well regarded by trainers when partnering three winners, from as many rides, at Limerick today.
Highlight of Walsh's 356/1 hat-trick was on Lanmire Glen in the featured E20,000 betfair.com Grand National Trial Handicap Chase where the Co Kildare rider was partnering his initial winner for trainer Francis Flood.
Lanmire Glen was always prominent under the former Champion Jockey, eventually hitting the front before the second last fence in the 3m4f marathon. Flood now intends running Lanmire Glen in the Ulster National next week while the Midlands National at Uttoxeter is another target next month.
Trainer Willie Mullins was left in a frustrating position as his Diego Garcia swept to victory in the opening two mile maiden hurdle. Mullins himself was still in the car park although his late arrival did nothing to prevent jockey Ruby Walsh triumphing on the son of Sri Pekan, despite an untidy jump at the final flight.
Mullins later reported 'he is now on my shortlist for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.' Cashmans Bookmakers currently quote Diego Garcia at 40/1 for that juvenile race.
Walsh recorded the middle leg of his trio of wins on the locally trained 16/1 shot Teutonic Dancer in the Greenmount Racing Club Handicap Hurdle. Andrew McNamara's gelding made smooth progress entering the straight and passed the post two lengths in front despite a mistake at the final flight. McNamara intends aiming the son of Germany, a relation of both Monty's Pass and Harbour Pilot, at a similar contest next week.
McNamara's 20 year old son and namesake later rode his first winner over fences two hours later when partnering John Murphy's Come In Moscow to an easy success in the 2m4f handicap chase. According to the Co Cork based trainer 'we had a slight worry about the ground but she jumped well and was given a fine ride.'
The Charlie Swan-trained Old Flame (11/2) upset both Star Of Bethlehem (5/2, finished second) and Dizzy's Dream (11/10 favourite, third) when landing the 2m2f novice hurdle under David Casey.
However Old Flame jumped to his right at the final flight, causing slight inteference to the runner-up although after a steward's enquiry, the placings were unchanged. Swan later described the winner as being 'a tough sort who jumps and stays well. He is a half brother to No Discount but I'm not sure where we'll go next. He has an entry in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham but won't go there.'
Tom Taaffe's Pelican Brief had failed to win in five previous chase starts but finally broke his maiden status over the larger obstacles when winning the grief stricken 2m6f beginner's chase under Barry Geraghty. The 7/4 favourite eventually defeated Feathered Storm by five lengths with a relieved Taaffe later commenting 'we have been waiting a while to get that! He just seemed to idle in front but should win plenty handicap chases in the future.'
Willie Mullins later completed a double in the concluding bumper when newcomer Our Ben (4/5 favourite) created a favourable impression when easily defeating 15 rivals under Jamie Codd. Our Ben is now likely to figure amongst a mass exodus of Mullins' horses who are likely to contest the Cheltenham bumper.
Thomas Weekes.
