Impulse impresses on first start for Walsh

On Impulse ran out a convincing winner of the 2015 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle, scoring on his debut for Ted Walsh.

The five-year-old son of Flemensfirth was previously trained by Harry Kelly, winning a bumper at Thurles in February while he was second to the smart Free Expression on his last outing in a maiden hurdle at Naas.

Having his third run over hurdles today he started at 4/1 this morning before opening on-course a 5/2 chance, the price at which he was returned.

After tracking the leaders throughout he hit the front approaching the straight and was sent on by Davy Russell.

He stretched clear when ridden on the run-in and went on to score by eight lengths. Lean Araig finished second at 16/1 (was 7/1 in the morning) under Robbie Colgan for Oliver McKiernan while Massini’s Brook (33/1) was seven lengths back in third under Barry Cash for Noel Lawlor. Totally Dominant went off the 6/4 favourite but he could only manage a disappointing fourth, a further three and a quarter lengths back under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.

Ted Walsh said afterwards: "He did it well. He had a good run in Naas and the winner (Free Expression) won a graded race since so he upheld that form.

"He jumped great and Harry Kelly said he would. Bryan Cooper, who rode him in Naas, also said he jumped well.

"He'll jump a fence in time. He's a grand horse, no superstar, but if he stays sound and goes the right way he'll make a nice three-mile chaser."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson