Noble Inn a useful import

The market said that the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe was a two-horse race and so it proved as Noble Inn got the better of Clarcam on their first racecourse appearances.

The pair pulled clear of the remainder upon jumping the second last. Ruby Walsh on board Willie Mullins’ Noble Inn hugged the rail and soon had Clarcam off the bridle as they hurtled towards the last flight.

Walsh then drove out the 5/4 favourite to score by two and three parts of a length from Clarcam and Davy Russell (5/2) who couldn’t close the gap on the run-in.

It was 18 lengths back to third-placed Haverstock at 25/1.

“He turned in a professional performance. It looked a match on paper and both look to be two more than reasonable horses. It was a nice starting point. He’ll be better next time,” commented Ruby Walsh.

Noble Inn is a French-bred who when last seen was second at Chantilly in a mile and three quarter flat handicap for Mikel Delzangles. Clarcam is also a French-bred, but hadn’t run in his home country before joining Gordon Elliott.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes