Small World benefits from serious Walsh ride

Small World gained compensation for a narrow defeat here earlier this month when benefitting from a fine ride by Ruby Walsh to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle.

The 9/4 favourite looked in trouble when niggled along towards the rear over half a mile out but responded to the champion jockey’s urgings to challenge approaching the last.

The Peter Fahey-trained gelding, who won in decisive fashion at Downpatrick last month, headed recent Navan winner Let’s Twist Again in the closing stages to score by half a length in this three-mile event.

The pair pulled five and a half lengths clear of Vinnie Luck in third.

Fahey said, "He was a little bit unlucky the last day when Ronan (Short) rode him but gave him a good ride as well but in fairness Ruby gave him some ride. It was a serious ride.

"They probably didn't go quick enough and he looked like he was flat-out across the top when they were quickening away down the hill. I thought we were beaten but in fairness he stayed battling away.

"He'll stay tipping away in those races until the ground gets heavy. He's a handy little horse and I think he'll be better in a better race as carrying over 11st is a lot for him. We'll have to go a little bit higher now but it's great he has won again."

(TW & AM)