Ruby's 'wonderful ride' helps Manekineko win

Trainer James Nash combined with good friend and jockey Ruby Walsh to win the Flynn Hotel Group Rated Novice Hurdle at Tramore today with My Manekineko which benefited from an excellent ride from the Champion Jockey.

Walsh held up My Manekineko at the back of the five runners before making his challenge on the inner from the second last. Walsh secured the inside on the approach to the final flight and the pair stayed on well for a three parts of a length win over Cecil Corbett

Nash later stated "I didn't think he should have been as big a price (joint outsider of five at 7/1) as he was; he did win a maiden hurdle and he got in a lot of trouble in Kilbeggan with fallers in front of him but no one seemed to pick up on that.

"I really fancied him and I genuinely would have been disappointed if he wasn't there or there about today and Ruby gave him an incredible ride. The only thing that stopped me fancying him even more was that he has been disappointing on the flat but obviously the hurdles have changed his mind."

Expanding on the winning ride, he added "Ruby gave him a wonderful ride, a good ride as he has give one in a long time."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy