Walsh lands Grade 1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on Saratoga With his tenure as retained jockey to JP McManus coming to a close, Mark Walsh bowed out of that role in style when partnering Saratoga to win the Grade 1 Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. Having looked better than a handicapper when bolting up in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, the Padraig Roche trained gelding proved that theory to be correct here as he brushed aside proven Grade 1 performers. Never far from the pace, the 9/2 chance headed One Horse Town on the run to the final flight and, quickly opened up a gap on his rivals. Bartholomew came through from out of the chasing back to grab second but Saratoga had three-and-three-quarter lengths in hand at the finish. Winning jockey Walsh said: "It's brilliant. Sure I grew up with Padraig. I went to Christy's when I was 15 years of age. Christy sent myself and Padraig down to Aidan O'Brien's as young lads for the summer, so we learned a lot and, we had loads of craic as well. "We went a good gallop over the first four hurdles and, the boys just slowed it down down the back. This lad was travelling so easily, he made a mistake at the first down the back, so I just pulled him out for light as this hurdles. Once he had a bit of light, he was winging hurdles. Padraig Roche added: "We hoped he would do that and he has obviously proven himself. To win any race at the Punchestown festival is great but to win a first Grade 1 here is unbelievable, I'm over the moon. "Alan Crowe recommended buying the horse through his job in Ballydoyle and Dad (Christy) convinced JP to buy him. Alan was first-jockey to Dad for years and told us if we could buy this horse, to do so. "We take whatever horses we get from JP every year and I'm delighted for him, as he has always been there. In total, we only have ten or 12 jump horses and six or seven Flat ones so I'd love to get more and further outside owners. "I haven't a clue where he runs next!" Paddy Power went 25/1 Saratoga for the 2027 Champion Hurdle. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
