Walsh completes Downpatrick double

Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh completed a double at Downpatrick today when steering the Peter Fahey trained Small World to win the Stylish Hat Win A Trip To Athens Handicap Hurdle.

Walsh was patient on Small World and produced the six year old son of Shantou to lead at the final flight. On the run-in, the pair went clear to record an 11 lengths win over front-runner Tranquil Magic

Small World was today getting off the mark at the 12th attempt and afterwards Walsh, who was riding him for the first time, stated “they went very hard and I was never confident although they capitulated and let me win well."

Owner Mick Hartnett, part of the Three Locks Syndicate, added “there are five of us in the syndicate and we are from Dublin and Limerick and one is in Kildare as well. I'm originally from Limerick but live in Dublin.

"We knew we had a chance and Ruby said they went very fast from the start and the race broke up and suited him."

Quotes from Michael Graham