So easy for Fox in Liam Healy Lartigue

Winner of the amateur handicap at Galway on July 25th, and not seen since, Swamp Fox struck in a feature race at another big festival when spread-eagling the opposition in the Grade C Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle.

Owned by Tom Egan of the famous Horse And Jockey Hotel, and trained by Joe Murphy in Fethard, Swamp Fox took control of his two miler, from the front, under David Mullins, from an early stage.

At different times it looked like the pack might close him down, but in the straight it was really a case of Swamp Fox safely negotiating the final couple of flights, which he did to beat Cradle Mountain by a comfortable eleven lengths.

Five to two favourite Tudor City never seemed to go a yard for Ruby Walsh and he eventually pulled up in the straight.

"I thought that he would need the run as he had a difficult preparation and he's such a lazy horse. He's always been consistent and has a big heart," said Murphy.

"He could go for the Cesarewitch, and I would like to run him at Cheltenham in November.

"It's always our dream to have a Cheltenham horse and maybe this lad could be it.

"David said he was a different horse with the blinkers (second time to sport the headgear)."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Tudor City, trained by A.J.Martin, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

B.J. Cooper, rider of Lagostovegas trained by David Harry Kelly, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having made a bad respiratory noise.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Walkabout trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having never travelled during this race.

J.J. Burke, rider of The Last Marju trained by Denis W. Cullen, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having stopped quickly at the third last hurdle.

(AM & EM)