Cap York (yellow cap) stays on best to win the Leinster National under Eoin Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Eoin Walsh recorded the biggest success of his fledgling career, as he guided Cap York to victory in the feature at Naas this afternoon, the Grade A MansionBet 'Getitready' For Cheltenham Leinster National Handicap Chase.
Successful in a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown last year and ninth in the Albert Bartlett, the Noel Meade trained victor finished a solid eighth of twenty-seven on his handicap debut over fences in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas.
He since disappointed at Navan, but back in handicap company today he was sent off an 11/1 chance in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
Towards the head of affairs throughout, the son of Ballingarry was pushed along entering the straight but battled on gamely under pressure, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to score by a length and a half. Cheb De Kerviniou (11/2 to 9/2 on-course), who was also prominent from the start, had to settle for minor honours yet again, with Rachael Blackmore aboard this Gordon Elliott trained ten-year-old. Mon Lino (20/1) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third, while the 11/4 favourite Castle Oliver could only manage a disappointing eighth.
Walsh, who recorded his first track success last May, said afterwards: "He is a gutsy horse. Jumping won it for him today. He got into a lovely rhythm and jumped like a buck. He loved the ground, put his head down and galloped all the way to the line.
"I rode him the last day and the blinkers today just brought out a bit of sharpness in him and he was much improved.
"I couldn't have imagined how well things have gone and I'm just very grateful to Mr Meade and Gigginstown for continuing to put me up.
"I have nothing confirmed yet for Cheltenham but hopefully I might pick up something yet."
Noel Meade added: "He has loads of ability but he can get himself out of a race and just switch off a bit.
"I told Eoin to try and get away quick and give him plenty of encouragement and he did.
"Davy Russell rode him to win a three-mile hurdle in Navan last year and at no stage was he going to win and yet he did win.
"He ran in Cheltenham last year and has run in plenty of good races. He stays well.
"That's his first win over fences so it's a nice race to break his duck. The obvious race to go now is the Irish National and I'd say that's where he'll go.
"He's a nervous type and it doesn’t take a lot of work to keep him ticking over."
On Cheltenham, Meade added: "We have a few with outside chances at Cheltenham. Snow Falcon has a chance and we may put Eoin on him now to claim 7lb as it looks like he'll have topweight.
"It's his first time back in a handicap since he won the Kerry National. He’s been running in Graded races and is a hardened customer."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
