Ruby Walsh partnered one of his more fortunate winners when steering the heavily backed Twinlight to win the Grade 2 Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle.

Twinlight, supported from 5/1 in the morning into 5/4f, was under pressure in fifth entering the straight but was gifted the race once leader Chaperoned and second-placed Fearless Falcon both fell at the second last flight, bringing down third placed Dev ls Bit.

Twinlight was soon left well clear but was all out under Walsh on the run-in for a three lengths win. Indeed the eventual runner-up Rocky Wednesday could himself be, somehow, considered an unlucky loser having momentarily been left alone by Davy Russell early in the straight when his chance had apparently gone.

Following Twinlight’s win his trainer Willie Mullins, his tongue firmly in-cheek, said “I’d say we were a bit lucky!”

“He is owned by a French syndicate, ML Bloodstock Ltd, which includes French Champion Trainer Guy Cherel. We’ll head to Punchestown with Twinlight but I’ve no immediate race in mind. ”

Thomas Weekes