Walsh Doubles Up

Ruby Walsh kept his many supporters happy when getting Fakima home the two length winner of the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Chase. The champion jockey was completing a double having earlier scored on Finisk Rose

Consistent without winning too often (only previous victory under Rules was in a Huntingdon handicap hurdle), Tony Martin's charge made virtually all but was lucky to survive a bad mistake two out. Sapient was still there with every chance when falling at the last and the winner plugged on best from that point to prevail.

Only five of the eleven that set out managed to complete and the time of seven minutes thirty nine point seven is an indication of how heavy underfoot conditions were. (EM)