Review THURLES 4TH MAR

Ruby Walsh, fresh from a sparkling 170/1 treble at Downpatrick on Wednesday, continued his rich vein of form, capturing the very valuable Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle aboard Kim Fontaine at Thurles yesterday.

Employing a change of tactics, riding a waiting race on the six-year-old, Willie Mullins' runner looked a forlorn hope in seventh place jumping the third last hurdle.

However, the joint second market choice made relentless headway from that point on, and collared Strike Back in the closing stages under a typically determined Walsh drive to prevail by a length.

Mullins said of the French-bred whom he took out of the SunAlliance Hurdle, 'we changed the tactics today as he had been running too freely but we nearly overdid it as he missed a few hurdles.' He then added, 'the novice hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown will be on his agenda.'

Barry Geraghty didn't have much time to dwell on an opening race misfortune as he guided Alcapone to run out quite a convincing winner of the conditions chase and he later went on to complete a double. The Meath rider in the process made it one hundred wins on home soil this term and comfortably heads the leading jockeys table.

Alcapone got the better of Adamant Approach after a great duel from early in the straight. The 7/1 shot in the words of his rider, 'was never going to be beaten despite half missing the last.'

Mouse Morris described an Aintree National bid for his charge as a possibility as a two and a half-mile type horse often wins that race. Tony Martin said sixth placed Davids Lad will need to show more sparkle if he's to take the same route.

Edward O'Grady will be credited with supplying the 100th winner, Coast To Coast in the maiden hurdle. The former winning 'pointer' had missed out with Clonmel being cancelled last Sunday but gave connections quick recompense with a four and a half length victory here.

Oh Be The Hokey came to grief two out when still in with every chance on his fencing bow last time but made no mistake second time of asking, the 6/4 favourite running away with the beginners chase for David Casey and Charlie Swan.

The opening maiden hurdle appeared to be bound for only one horse some way from home. Eurolink Rooster and Barry Geraghty were clear throughout and appeared sure to score with a seven length advantage when diving at and crashing out at the last.

His misfortune left the way clear for Seemore Street and Tom Ryan to record a nine-length victory. Winning handler Tony Seymour hails from Nenagh and currently has ten horses under his care. The successful horse was gaining a deserved maiden win here, having been in the frame six times from his previous nineteen starts.

Three Jackpot investors had the foresight to include Clonmel Commercial, 16/1 winner of the final leg, the handicap chase for Dick Donohoe and Alan Donoghue, ensuring themselves a dividend of E664.

Afistfullofdollars gave his odds-on supporters a fright before mastering Doctors Orders in an exciting finish to the bumper.