Diplomat clears the last from King William in second© Photo Healy Racing
Diplomat ran out an easy of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle, under Ruby Walsh for Dermot Weld. The four-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy finished third on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown last December, behind subsequent Fred Winter winner Flaxen Flare. He was then well beaten on his next two starts over timber, in Grade 2 and Listed contests. His last two runs came on the level and back over hurdles this afternoon he was sent off the 4/7 favourite to account for his five rivals. The Dr Ronan Lambe owned gelding cruised into the lead approaching the last and Ruby Walsh let him come home in his own time as he recorded a cheeky length success over King William (8/1) under John Cullen. Dermot Weld said via phone afterwards: "Great credit to Sligo, they’ve produced lovely ground. "He will go for the four-year-old novice hurdle on the Monday of Galway now. "Hopefully Ruby will ride him again, he won the race for me last year." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
