Ted & Ruby Walsh discuss the win of Devil's Elbow in the rain at Down Royal© Photo Healy Racing
The Ted Walsh trained Devil's Elbow got off the mark on his first start over fences in the Sean Graham Bookmakers Beginners Chase, providing his jockey Ruby Walsh with a treble on the card.
The 5yo son of Zamindar won his bumper at Downpatrick in May of last year before winning his maiden hurdle on his next start at Ballinrobe in June.
He then finished second in a novice hurdle at the Galway Festival before finishing fourth on his next two starts.
On his first start of 2012 he ran well to finish sixth, thirteen lengths behind Eightybarackstreet in a competitive novice handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Running the colours of Barry Connell, the 3/1 favourite, settled in mid-division today before making headway into fourth three fences from home.
He was ridden to challenge at the last before soon hitting the front and staying on strongly to score by a length and three parts from the Dessie Hughes trained El Fontan in second at 7/1 under Bryan Cooper.
The pair went six and a half lengths clear of the third placed horse who was Ferris Bueller for Conor O'Dwyer and Davy Russell at 5/1.
Winning trainer Ted Walsh said afterwards: "He was the highest rated horse in the race off 116.
"He ran well at Fairyhouse the last day and he jumped well today and got a great ride. All those things helped him."
Winning rider Ruby Walsh commented on the state of the ground saying "They are just knocking the top off of it" after persistent rain at the Co Down venue.
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham
