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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Nickname makes winning start over timber

Thu 2nd Apr 2015, 17:31

Nickname Exit and Ruby Walsh Nickname Exit and Ruby Walsh
© Photo Healy Racing

Nickname Exit justified his short price when running out a convincing winner of the Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Gigginstown gelding, trainer by Willie Mullins, was a well-supported 8/11 favourite in the two-mile contest having been 5/4 this morning.

Ruby Walsh tracked the leaders but was niggling along on his mount before the turn. The French-bred stayed on to lead at the second last, however, and was pulling away on the run-in for a three-and-three-quarter length win.

The five-year-old was making his debut over timber having been placed in two bumpers and also narrowly denied in a point-to-point last year.

Willie Mullins didn't make it in time to see his charge and Walsh commented:- "He jumped very well and that made the difference."

Mullins said after his bumper winner later on the card:-

"He is a jumper and can go out in trip. If the ground permits, he could go chasing straight away in the new season in May."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.