A card that started well for favourite backers had begun to go a little astray that is until Bob What triumphed in the featured Handicap Chase at Tramore last evening. Ruby Walsh treated racegoers to a demonstration of his skills when guiding the 4/5 shot to a comfortable three and a half length success.
A furious gallop was cut out by Silent Native and Palace Storm as the duo battled for supremacy, but Walsh remained unconcerned as his mount raced off the pace. The aforementioned front-runner stuck gamely to his task, but once the jolly took up the lead between the last two there was only going to be one outcome, a bold jump at the last sealing the stylish win.
Tom Mullins trains the gelding owned partly by his mother Maureen and he said of his first Tramore winner, 'he might come back here on Sunday where he has a choice of options.'
Niall Slippers Madden achieved a significant milestone in his blossoming career when he guided Ballintry Guest to an easy win in the opening qualified riders maiden hurdle. Win number fifty five for the eighteen-year-old Kildare rider now means that he loses his entitlement to claim.
Held up by Madden, Pat Flynns 1/2 shot, made stylish progress on the run down into the dip, struck the front after two out and wasnt extended to dispose of Boulick Boy by five lengths.
Madden went on to register a double in the closing bumper. Riding Jack Daniels for Tim Doyle, the partnership showed real courage to defeat favourite, Another Superman who had looked sure to win.
This track has not surprisingly seen many a course specialist emerge over the years and Ogan Hill, successful in a flat maiden here back in 2000, struck again in the handicap hurdle. Mark Walsh took the son of Dromod Hill to the front after the fourth and then made the rest on the way to a two length win.
Indeed the ten-year-old holds an engagement back on the level in the mile six furlong handicap here tomorrow and according to his trainer John Codd, the John Brennan-owned ten-year-old will reappear if sound in the morning.
Honky Tonk Womans win in the following flat handicap saw a similar story emerge. A course and distance victor last October, Christy Donoghues mare repeated the dose when running her rivals into the ground from the front to gain a two length win. The Michael Hussey-ridden winner will reappear quickly, all being well, for a slightly lower grade contest back here on Sunday.
A night that began well for punters continued on a downward curve when Dees Angel (14/1) just held off the strong late challenge of Jemmys Flame by a head to credit trainer Leslie Young and apprentice rider Brian Hughes with a win.
Shayrandar (11/8 favourite) in the closing leg of the Jackpot was the second favourable result for investors and saw E11,583.00 shared among seventeen winners who each received E511.00. Rory Cleary (career success number 20) was aboard this fellow for Michael OBrien and now sees his claim reduced from seven pounds down to five.
