Noble Inn and Katie Walsh are clear© Photo Healy Racing
"Katie (Walsh) gave him a good ride and was very cool. On his jumping form in Graded juvenile hurdles, he looked to have an attractive mark," was the summation of Patrick Mullins after his father Willie's Noble Inn (4/1 favourite) made light of an absence stretching back to May 2014, to triumph in the Manguard Plus Amateur Derby (Q.R.) Handicap at the Curragh.
"It's nice for the owner (Martin Mulvaney) as he's had to wait a year. He can go up in trip to a mile and six, and will get in near bottom weight in some of those nice handicap hurdles," further explained Mullins.
On his first outing on the Flat in Ireland, Noble Inn made his ground from mid-division in the straight and he hit the front a furlong out.
From there the Sinndar gelding kept on strongly to go clear and account for Hurricane Sky by four and a half lengths.
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Paddy The Celeb ridden by Mr E. Halford, unplaced, Unrequited ridden by Miss S. Lynam, unplaced , Eric The Grey ridden by Mr J.F. O'Meara, placed third and Jack Blue ridden by Miss K. Harrington, unplaced, where it appeared Unrequited ran short of room.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards cautioned Mr. J. F. O'Meara to ride with more care in the future.
(AM & EM)
