Walsh expects improvement from Shaneshill Ruby Walsh expects Shaneshill to improve for his excellent effort at Cheltenham when he runs in the Coolmore N.H. Sires Leading Light & Ocovango Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The Graham and Andrea Wylie-owned six-year-old finished second only to impressive stable companion Douvan in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival. Once more his biggest threat may come from his own stable as Willie Mullins supplies three of the seven runners, with Grade One-winner McKinley and Outlander, sixth in the Neptune, also lining up. Both of those, along with the Sandra Hughes-trained Prince Of Scars, are owned by Gigginstown House Stud and with their retained jockey Bryan Cooper suspended, Walsh had the choice of the three Mullins runners. "Shaneshill had a great run in Cheltenham when he was second to Douvan. He gets in here with no real penalties," said Walsh in his Irish Examiner column. "He's had an up-and-down sort of year but he's in really good form. "I think he ran a better race in Cheltenham than Outlander did and that was off a good layoff too. He hadn't run since early December and should improve a little for the run. "McKinley carries the Grade One penalty but was disappointing in Cheltenham. Maybe a smaller field in novice company might suit him better. "Shaneshill has his stablemates to beat but I think he's my best ride on Sunday and should beat them." Noel Meade's Snow Falcon, fifth in the Neptune at Cheltenham, is another major contender for the Grade Two.
