Batcio cosy winner for Walsh

Batcio justified his short price in the first division of the beginners chase at Clonmel when running out a cosy winner.

In a race confined to horses rated 116 or less over hurdles the Ted Walsh-trained went to post a 9/10 shot and was always to the fore.

Ian McCarthy 's mount was a clear leader over the fourth last in the two-mile contest and had his rivals at work early in the straight.

He popped the last two to run out a comfortable two-and-three-quarter length winner over 20/1 shot Fur Elise

"There might be horses in behind him that might never win a race but he jumped well, travelled well and won like a odds-on shot in a very weak race,” said Walsh.

"There were a lot horses not fancied, some weren't great, unless he fell himself. Ian gave him a lovely ride and rode him with loads of confidence.

"Ian has his own place now and I meet him on the Curragh if I'm stuck and he is a lovely fella. He rode Any Second Now when he won his first race and he is a most obliging fella.

"This is basically Aubrey (McMahon's) horse but he is out of action with a knee injury and he hasn't ridden over fences, but if he goes back over hurdles Aubrey will ride him and could ride him over fences at some stage.

"He'll go to Limerick for a handicap chase next."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)