Walsh scores Ballinrobe double

Ruby Walsh took the riding honours at Ballinrobe when partnering a mixed double aboard Piercing Sun and Askthejudge. Walsh was seen to good affect against his Flat counterparts when getting Piercing Sun home by a neck from Nearly A Moose in the two miles maiden.

The Tony Mullins-trained four-year-old, 5/2 fav (from 100/30), led over a furlong out and needed all of Walsh's strength to hold off Nearly A Moose by a neck. 'There is no maiden over a distance in Galway next week, so I ran him here to get a handicap mark,' said Mullins of the full-brother to Aquila Oculus.

Walsh had a much easier time on Askthejudge in the maiden hurdle, with the 1/2 favourite cruising to the front after two out to beat Mitchella by a facile three lengths. Curragh trainer Frank Ennis now plans to switch the 4yo back to the Flat for the valuable McDonagh Handicap at Galway next Tuesday.

Cathy Gannon leads the apprentice's championship on the 13 winner mark after picking up a chance ride on Count Altanne in the six furlongs handicap. The 21-year-old Dubliner was originally due to ride Nicholsons Court (temperature and off-feed), but was switched to the third reserve Count Altanne.

Millers Weir (16/1-8/1) bidded to make all after a fast break from stalls but Gannon's mount quickened nicely from the furlong pole to score by two lengths. The winner's stable-companion Euro Friendly was sent off 5/1 fav, but she lost ground when rearing up in the stalls and never got involved eventually staying on into seventh.

Mount George was patiently-ridden by Michael Hussey in the nine furlongs apprentice handicap, and pounced inside the final 100 yards to beat Gallaher's Sister by half a length. Class Reunion didn't enjoy the clear of passages in the straight, and Austin Leahy's charge can be considered a shade unlucky beaten just over a length in fourth.

Tadhg O'Shea, champion apprentice for the past two years, moved onto the 23 winner mark for the season when Berkeley Note took the nine furlongs handicap. The front-running Silvergino (8/11-4/7f) could find no extra when headed inside the final furlong by Mick Halford's charge, and was touched off for second on the line by Flash Express.

Load And Lock has proved an exasperating sort for trainer Peter McCreery but the nine-year-old gelding finally added to his only previous success (maiden hurdle at Downpatrick, Nov '98) in the handicap chase. Barry Cash's mount struck the front after Blitzy Boy blundered at the fourth and third last fences, and kept on to score by five lengths.

'He's his own boss, and must have been placed about 30 times (Flat and jumps) since his only previous win,' said the Clane handler. Barry Geraghty heads the National Hunt riders table at this early stage of the season, and recorded winner number 24 of the campaign when partnering Fullasoul to take the handicap hurdle. Harry Rogers' charge swept to the front after two out for a comfortable eight lengths victory over Becca'sgold, and the dual purpose performer will continue under both codes.

Filed by Brendan Cole