Patience pays off with Cadspeed

You don't often see Ruby Walsh on a puller up and a faller in successive races, particularly on an ordinary programme. At Thurles today after calling a halt on Chiltern Hills in the opener and coming a cropper on Rupert Lamb in race two, he got back on the winning trail aboard the previously frustrating Cadspeed in the third, the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.

Shedding his maiden tag at the fifteenth attempt over the larger obstacles, dual bumper and hurdle scorer Cadspeed was always to the fore steeping up to this three miles.

Bidding to supply his handler, Amanda Mooney, with her first winner, Milan Breeze threw down a challenge to Cadspeed from between the final two fences.

Now an eleven-year-old, Cadspeed, the 2/1 favourite (from 5/2 on track) on this occasion, comfortably found what was required on the run-in to account for Milan Breeze by two and a quarter lengths. Dushrembrandt bidding to give trainer Robert Tyner a double, and rider Phillip Enright a treble, faded in the straight to come home thirty lengths off the first two in third place.

Afterwards winning trainer Willie Mullins acknowledged: "I have to compliment the owners for their patience and the trainer has eventually got the trip right.

"On his home work he's a two mile to two and a half mile horse but he looked a real stayer there." (AM & EM)