Ruby shines at Gowran Park
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 16:56Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh took the honours at Gowran as they teamed up for a short-priced double with easy winners Enterprise Park and Doctor Deejay.
The trainer then went on to a treble as 11-8 favourite Don't Turn Bach led all the way in the concluding bumper under Patrick Mullins.
Enterprise Park, a bumper winner himself, had a gentle introduction to jumping in the first division of the Porters Saddlery Maiden Hurdle and hardly broke sweat.
The 4-6 favourite eased up to join leader Misala at the second-last and soon had the race in the bag, coasting in by eight lengths.
Doctor Deejay made it third time lucky over jumps with another facile success for the top partnership in the Green Fee Vouchers 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
Placed in both his other runs, the gelding was sent off the 4-5 favourite and travelled sweetly all the way, just off the pace.
Walsh sent him into the lead approaching the last flight and he had no trouble holding the challenge of jumps debutant Our Nana Rose by two and a half lengths.
The champion jockey took over on Kauto Star's half-brother Kauto Relko in the second division of the maiden hurdle, but the five-year-old could not get involved in the finish.
The race went to Jessica Harrington's Gallant Light, who held a slender lead over Taking Stock at the last and looked to be getting the better of their duel when the latter stumbled and fell on the run-in.
With the main rival removed, the Robbie Power-ridden Gallant Light (5-2) passed the post seven lengths in front of the hampered Black Alpine.
Nans Best (13-2) stepped up on his Punchestown second earlier this month to take the Thomastown Handicap Hurdle under Mick Darcy.
Liam McAteer's five-year-old looked to have the prize in safe keeping when he jumped the last with a healthy lead, but Bob Will Fix It put in a renewed bid and there was a length and three-quarters in it at the line.
Grange Alainn got up in the dying strides to deprive The Flying Dustman in the three-mile Gowran Park Racing Club 2010 Handicap Hurdle.
