Walsh and Martin double at Clonmel
Thursday 11 March 2010
Ruby Walsh and Tony Martin completed a double at Clonmel when Psycho ran out a wide-margin winner of the Comeragh Beginners Chase.
Martin's charge was sent off the 10-11 favourite for the contest and travelled sweetly just behind the leaders under a motionless Walsh.
The nine-year-old took up the running with a circuit to run and soon only had Noble Concorde in attendance, though he could never get on terms and had to settle for second, 11 lengths adrift of the winner.
Walsh had an easy time of it in the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle, as Martin's 6-4 favourite Tijuana Dancer travelled much the best before pulling three lengths clear of Happy Milly at the line.
Things didn't go quite so well for Walsh in the Powerstown Maiden Hurdle, as Pozyc just failed.
Willie Mullins' charge travelled well and moved into contention at the final flight, but Mazara (3-1) had crept into a clear lead under Andrew McNamara and kept on gamely to hold off Pozyc by half a length.
Kind Oscar careered away in the closing stages to run out a commanding winner of the Clonmel Mares Beginners Chase.
Favourite Coscorrig made a brave fist of things from the front, but once the well-backed 5-2 second favourite hit top gear in the home straight, the result was never in doubt.
Jumping the last superbly, the nine-year-old stormed clear to win by eight lengths from Flirthing Around, who pipped Coscorrig for second.
Top-weight All The Eights showed tremendous battling qualities to emerge victorious in the Suir Handicap Hurdle.
Tom Doyle was hard at work a long way out on the Patrick Cody-trained 12-1 chance, but he kept responding for pressure to beat Shorecliffe King by a neck.
Whatsabillion (5-2) justified favouritism in fine style with victory in the Margarets 50th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase.
