Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh recorded his fourth winner in the last three race days when partnering a double at Wexford tonight.
Walsh's first winner was for Co Tipperary trainer Thomond O'Mara, with Banna Man, who ran out a three length winner of the Lannigans Restaurant Maiden Hurdle.
The gelded son of Zaffaran was held up early on before making steady progress to lead after the second last, and although running around on the run to the final flight, stayed on to hold off Bartra Rock.
O'Mara later reported 'that win was not out of turn and we'll see how he is before deciding whether to keep him going during the summer.'
Half an hour later Walsh was on board Levitator, winner of the Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre Hurdle, for trainer Michael O'Brien.
O'Brien was represented by assistant trainer Denis Cullen who mentioned 'Ruby thinks Levitator will win over fences and the horse is entered to be sold at the Doncaster Sales next month.'
Trainer Pat Martin was absent from the track, following the death of his father this morning but he did register a winner, when his head lad Barry Murtagh steered Goose Island to win the opening maiden hurdle.
Partnering just his fourth winner, at the age of 33, the lightly-raced Murtagh, an ex-John Gosden apprentice, has the distinction of being involved in a bizarre piece of Irish jump racing history.
Murtagh's first winner came in a three runner hurdle at Punchestown on New Year's Eve 1993 when he guided outsider Loaves And Fishes to a clear round, gaining a Foinavon style win.
His win came at the expense of casualties Miss Lime (faller at the third last) and Idiots Venture (brought down by the fall but remounted to finish second).
In a further twist, Idiots Venture went on win a maiden hurdle the following day and was subsequently awarded the Punchestown race on the disqualification, on technical grounds, of Loaves And Fishes.
After Goose Island's win Murtagh mentioned 'I have been working for Pat since last September and will ride some of his horses when a 7lb claimer is needed.'
Michael Halford's Masamiyr arrived late to win the Ellen Construction Maiden under Johnny Murtagh.
Halford mentioned 'he is an honest type and he'll mix it between flat and hurdle handicaps during the summer.'
Paul Nolan credited his new Equine Spa for the win of his sore-foot sufferer Zaydar in the Club Vitae Leisure Club Handicap.
Tom McCourt's Real Empire caused a 16/1 (70/1 on the Tote) surprise when winning the Glenville House Handicap, under Declan McDonogh.
The Stewards on the day referred trainers' concerns in relation to 'the evenings' racing surface and inadequate bedding for horses' to the licensing committee for further investigation.
