Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Moyaliff provided his rider Ruby Walsh with his third winner in as many races at Killarney this afternoon, as he took the second divide of the Ross Golf Club Maiden Hurdle for trainer Charlie Swan.
Having had to work hard on Shamkhal and Dara Tango Walsh had an easier time of it here aboard the 11/8 favourite.
Having raced prominently in the chasing group early on, he got closer to the leaders from the fourth last flight.
He took up the running at the third last and went clear from before two out, staying on well from there to score by a comfortable three and three parts of a length. Special Tiara who attempted to make all, ran a very game race back in second at 8/1 for Henry De Bromhead and Philip Enright while Roadtoabbeyfeale was a further eleven lengths back in third at 14/1 for John Supple and Eddie O’Connell.
After finishing seventh on his debut in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper in 2011 behind Texas Jack, the winner then won his point-to-point in October of last year at Dromahane.
He was trained for them two starts by his owner Timmy Hyde but he made his debut for Charlie Swan on his third start in a maiden hurdle at Cork in January where he finished a well beaten fifth.
Last time out he ran a much better race to finish third behind Play the Market in another maiden hurdle at Naas in February.
Winning trainer Charlie Swan said afterwards: "He is a fine big horse and will probably go to jump a fence shortly. He is more of a chaser.
"I haven't had a winner for a while (Taraval, March 22nd) and it can get frustrating. It's a bit of a relief to win and it is possible he might be sent to the sales now."
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
