Rossvoss (right) scores for Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh completed a quickfire double when teaming up with his father Ted to land the JJ Rhatigan & Company Maiden Hurdle with Rossvoss
The five-year-old gelding, sporting the Commanche Court colours of Dermot Desmond, needed a strong drive from Ruby – successful half-an-hour earlier in the opener on Vicky De L’Oasis - to get up close home. Holeinthewall Bar appeared the likely winner when shrugging off the challenge of 13/8 favourite Minella Fiveo soon after the last but he was unable to hold on in the final 75 yards.
Rossvoss (11/4) had a length and a quarter to spare at the line, with Minella Fiveo another half-length adrift in third.
Ted Walsh said, “He ran alright in the big amateur handicap here but didn’t handle Downpatrick, where he was never going. If you backed him you knew your fate with a circuit to go.
“He likes Galway but keeps plenty for himself and pricked his auld ears coming up to the line. He’s not a 7lb claimers ride but has plenty of ability.
“After he won his maiden here, I didn’t think I’d be waiting two years to win a maiden hurdle with him. He’s a big scopey type and seems to be on the right side of the handicapper, so he’ll go handicapping now.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
