The irrepressible Michael Hourigan gave an unmistakable signal that his horses are back to their best, providing Ruby Walsh with the first two legs of a treble for the Co Kildare rider, at Kilbeggan today.
With the summer festival meetings ahead, it is certainly worth following the Hourigan yard, which, according to the trainer 'had it bad enough for a long time earlier this year.'
Glacial Moss got the Hourigan-Walsh ball rolling with a win in the Leinster Petroleum Hurdle.
The 4/5 winning favourite made virtually all and, although he was joined briefly before the second last, responded to Walsh's drive for a seven length win.
Hourigan described the winner as 'not a bad sort who will make a nice chaser.'
He added 'Glacial Moss had been sick last Christmas and just when I got him in January my own horses became sick so it took plenty time to get him right again; he'll go for a winners' of one next.'
Dr Julian completed the Hourigan double getting the better of Threequarter Moon in the Belvedere House Gardens & Park Handicap Hurdle.
The Ruby Walsh hat-trick was completed in the Fay Bookmakers Beginners Chase when course specialist Barrack Buster made it five wins from five starts at the track, on her chase debut.
According to winning trainer Martin Brassil, Barrack Buster 'has taken well to fences and these fences are very fair and invite horses to jump them. The mare has a big heart and will be kept going on these type of tracks.'
The Kilbeggan feel good factor didn't last very long with odds-on punters getting their fingers well burnt with the defeat of 2/5 favourite Feel Good Factor in the opening maiden hurdle.
Feel Good Factor was travelling well when striking the front at the second last but folded quickly and was passed at the final flight by Dochas, who eventually recorded a two and a half length win.
Afterwards winning trainer Jarlath Fahey reported 'we came here hoping for second place but the step up in trip and the give in the ground were both helps.
Garrett (Cotter) gave her a great ride and gets on well with the horse.'
A thrilling conclusion to the hunters chase saw Bothar Na and Jamie Codd defeat the fast finishing Wangunai by a short head, with a head back to Glenduff Bridge in third.
Bothar Na's success was the horse's second win of the day, surely creating a record of some description as the Willie Mullins trained gelding had earlier won an appeal for a disqualification at Limerick recently.
Joanna Morgan's Rocking Ship, under Joey Elliott, landed the Usher Cup Handicap Chase while the concluding bumper went to Noel Meade's second string Flaming James (16/1).
