Ploopluck Bridge (left) and Ballyhampshire Man jump the final fence upsides© Photo Healy Racing
There's never a dull moment with Ted Walsh and the popular trainer's spirits were raised, somewhat, when his Ploopluck Bridge (11/2) landed the Limerick's Live 95fm Beginners Chase, under capable claimer Rob Jones.
Ploopluck Bridge, a four year old having his first run over fences, overcame a mistake at the second last fence but rallied gamely from there, eventually sealing his short head win over Ballyhampshire Man (giving Ploopluck Bridge 21lbs) close home.
Walsh was earlier left dissatisfied when his charge Summer Star (4/5f) was left badly in a ragged start to the maiden hurdle (see earlier race report), and while Ploopluck Bridge might have raised a cheer, Walsh quickly pointed out “it's still a wasted trip because I'd a 100 quid double on both!”
The Grand National winning trainer added “Battlefront won this race for us a few years ago and if Ploopluck Bridge is half as lucky as him, I'd be delighted.
“He ran ok in a maiden hurdle and on the Flat previously but having said that, it was a fine ordinary race and the second, who gave my horse 21lbs, is rated 107 so that makes my mine rated about 80! However he isn't the worst horse in the world.”
Walsh's jockey son Ruby Walsh was a notable absentee from the race but Walsh Snr mentioned “I didn't want Ruby to get a heavy fall just before Galway and while Ploopluck Bridge is a safe jumper, he was still a four year old running first time out over fences.”
