Cian Walsh in jubilant mood© Photo Healy Racing
A punch of the air by Cian Walsh (22) as he passed the post encapsulated the joy of riding his first winner on Bronson In Blue in the three mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown.
The 7lb claimer rode a patient race on the nine-year-old gelding with the pair sighted towards the back of this big field four out.
Bronson In Blue was given a nudge by Walsh approaching two out and the pair began to make headway on the outer at that flight.
They were still fully 10th turning in and set off in pursuit of Siberian Star and Pale Blue Dot who had worked their way to the front racing the final flight.
Bronson In Blue jumped it in third and stumbled on landing, however, he had plenty in the tank and readily mowed down the aforementioned duelling pair in the final 50 yards to win going away.
The 10/1 shot streaked in by two and a half lengths from Pale Blue Dot (14/1) with Siberian Star, the 7/2 favourite, half a length back in third. Yulong Voice (40/1 in the morning to 10/1) completed the placings in fourth.
John McConnell said: “I'm delighted. I bought him back in the autumn, he was in a field at the time. I knew the horse quite well and had always followed him. I got a good bunch of lads into him.
“He's not a very big horse but he has a big heart. He has plenty of scope and stays, you could see there all he does is stay.
“He got a lovely ride from Cian, it's his first winner and he works in the yard for me. He took his time and was very patient on him.
“He probably likes coming wide as he'd probably get intimidated among horses. He's scopey enough and he'll jump a fence, they'll have plenty of fun with him.
“He was second in this race last year and even though he was 10lb higher this time he's after going and doing it.”
This was his third start for McConnell. He won a handicap hurdle at Tipperary in May last year for his previous trainer Lorna Fowler.
The Stewards interviewed D.G. Hogan, rider of Pale Blue Dot (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, D.G. Hogan stated that he had used the whip a few times before the final hurdle for corrective purposes and the remaining use had not exceeded the guidelines for the use of the whip. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.G. Hogan was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration and pursuant to the provisions of R10(6)(a), the Stewards suspended D.G. Hogan for seven racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
