Laganbank and Ruby Walsh, survived a penultimate fence blunder in the Packie Downey Memorial Chase at Tipperary today before providing Champion Trainer Willie Mullins with a double.

Walsh had moved Laganbank to lead approaching the second last fence but the gelding ploughed through that obstacle. Walsh, as ever, sat tight though and the pair were soon on an even keel, scoring an eight lengths win over Imperial Shabra

Mullins was earlier on the scoresheet with Make Your Mark (ridden by Davy Russell) but wasn't present for the win. Walsh did later report “he loves fast ground and being by Norwich, has to have it. He had some good form on good ground last year and was second to Baily Green at Roscommon last year. I imagine he could go to Galway for something next.”

By Thomas Weekes