Avant Tout pecks badly after the last but goes on to win in Tramore© Photo Healy Racing
Avant Tout won an eventful beginners' chase in Tramore, but not without a heart-stopping blunder at the last.
Ruby Walsh made all over this two-mile trip and many struggled to go the pace as jumping errors impeded their progress. Viconte du Noyer made a bad mistake at the sixth last which cooked his chances of a win while Orgilgo Bay was seen being untidy at a couple of fences.
Once the race hotted up, it was left to Mumbo Bay to try and hunt Avant Tout down. He closed right up on the leader at the second last, but a mistake there came at the wrong time as Avant Tout powered clear before the last.
The 5/4 favourite (from 15/8 in the ring) got the last all wrong and pecked upon landing. Ruby Walsh sat tight and Avant Tout was soon back on an even keel to win by six lengths from Mumbo Bay (10/1). Viconte du Noyer kept on for third at 9/4.
Avant Tout's trainer Willie Mullins said: "He schooled at home and I thought he was very sharp for a novice, that's why I said I'd let him take his chance over two miles. I thought his jumping would give him a chance.
"He handled that ground very well and he could continue for the summer. We will see how he comes out of this. He is a natural and I wouldn't have any problem going to bigger tracks."
On Hurricane Fly he said: "He is in good form and at the moment he is heading for Auteuil next Sunday."
This brought up a Tramore double for Mullins and Walsh who took race three with odds-on favourite Childrens List
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined The Winkler trained by Eoin Doyle, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race. He finished fifth.
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Liberty's Gift trained by Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake, lost his action and was pulled up.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Orgilgo Bay, trained by John C. McConnell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have skin abrasions on both stifles and on the left fore but otherwise post race normal. He was pulled up before the last.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
