Dara Tango comes with his challenge on the outside with The Folkes Choice (centre) & Captain Ocana (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Tony Martin & Ruby Walsh completed an opening race double as they took division one of the Ross Golf Club Maiden Hurdle with the 6/4 favourite Dara Tango
Ridden in a similar fashion to Shamkhal in the opener, Walsh produce his mount at the last and stayed on best on the run-in scoring by a more comfortable length and a half this time round.
After attempting to make all, Captain Ocana (6/1) for Louis Archdeacon had to settle for second after making a mistake at the last under Martin Ferris while The Folkes Choice was a further two lengths back in third under Davy Russell for Henry De Bromhead at 4/1.
The winner, who is a 5yo son of Lando, was purchased at the Arqana Deauville Autumn Mixed Sale in November of last year just as Shamkhal was.
This fellow however was purchased for €15,000 and had won twice on the level in France.
He was having his sixth start over hurdles this afternoon and having finished second and third on his last two starts at Cork, he wasn’t winning out of turn today.
Winning trainer Tony Martin said afterwards: "I have no immediate plans for him now. It’s great that it worked out. You couldn’t have better owners. It’s great for Aidan Shiels and Daniel Harnett (who also owns Dunguib) who bought the horse before Christmas."
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
