Walsh lands treble on Noble

Ruby Walsh rounded off his day in style at Clonmel when Noble Inn provided him with a treble in the concluding Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile Hurdle.

The Sinndar gelding was also landing a double on the card for trainer Willie Mullins when taking the two mile contest.

Walsh tracked the leaders on the well-backed 8/11 shot (5/4 this morning) and he jumped into the lead two from home.

The favourite eased clear on the run-in to record an impressive six-length winning margin over Hostile Fire

The five-year-old had just been denied when third on the Flat at Naas last month.

"I was worried whether he'd handle the ground but on his flat prep, I thought he had a pound or two in hand over hurdles," said Mullins.

"Races like the Boylesports Hurdle and the County Hurdle could suit but looking at that you'd say he could stay three miles and he's as tough as nails."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)