Swansea Mile jumps the last under Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Swansea Mile followed-up on his recent win at Bellewstown as he took the opener at Killarney, the Aherns BMW Castleisland Novice Hurdle.
Trained by Ted Walsh, owned by his wife Helen and ridden by their son Ruby, the five-year-old Dylan Thomas gelding proved friendless with punters.
He was 6/1 last night with Paddy Power but opened on-course today at 9's before going off a 10/1 chance.
Settled towards rear he had just one rival behind him with a circuit to race. He took closer order approaching the third last and improved to lead before the next.
He was ridden on the run to the final flight and while he wasn't fluent there he kept on well on the run-in to score by three parts of a length. Fearachain (11/2 to 9/2 on-course) ran on well after the last but he had to settle for second under David Mullins for his uncle Tony. Last Encounter was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third while the 6/4 favourite Cardinal Palace could only manage a disappointing fifth under David Casey for James Nash.
Katie Walsh said afterwards: "We always thought plenty of him and he was just beaten in two bumpers on galloping tracks.
"He disappointed on a few undulating tracks at Tramore and Downpatrick but he's on the way up now and hopefully will keep improving."
Ruby added: "He improved a lot from Bellewstown and he jumped well today.
"Galway might come too quick but he could go to Sligo the following week or else come back here at the end of August for a novice.
"He's only a five year old and is still improving."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
