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Ballycasey impresses at Thurles

Ballycasey and Ruby Walsh on their way to victory at ThurlesBallycasey and Ruby Walsh on their way to victory at Thurles
© Photo Healy Racing

When you've got the type of fire-power that Mrs Susannah Ricci, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have at their disposal, there's always something to take from even the most testing of days. More winners might have been anticipated but Ballycasey made it a brace for the trio (following on from Mikael D'Haguenet) when impressing in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Djakadam and Tarla's tumbles earlier on, may have contributed to the layers offering 9/10 about Ballycasey, but there were plenty willing to go in again and that grey was backed into 4/6.

The very promising youngster never gave his supporters any cause for concern and he eventually eclipsed Milborough to the tune of three lengths.

Mullins remarked: "He's progressing lovely. I'm happy he handled the ground as I thought it might be too soft.

"I don't know if he'll run again between now and Cheltenham. He'll be entered in the Albert Bartlett and the Neptune and he's the type of horse that would prefer better ground."

Ballycasey is 8/1 (from 10/1) for the Albert Bartlett with Stan James. They reportedly laid three decent bets about him on Tuesday and they now claim that he is a big loser in the race for their firm. (TW & EM)