Mullins and Walsh win opener at Tramore

Last year's Champions, Trainer Willie Mullins and Jockey Ruby Walsh, combined to win the opening Launch Of The August Racing Festival 14th to 17th Maiden Hurdle at Tramore today with 7/4 favourite Ashjar

The winner improved to lead from the third last flight but was strongly pressed approaching the final flight by Honey Pound However Ashjar secured a faster jump at the last helping him maintain his diminishing lead to the line, for a length and a half win.

Afterwards Walsh stated “he jumped a lot better than at Cork and we've schooled him plenty since. He's getting the hang of things and he stayed on well too.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy