Eight times Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh missed out on spending an afternoon with his kids when venturing to Tramore today, but did at least partner a winner, on his only ride, Passage Vendome in the @tramoreraces On Twitter Beginners Chase.

The 8/11 favourite, a faller when clear of his beginners' chase field at the final fence at Ballinrobe 16 days ago, readily accounted for Gentleman Duke today.

Afterwards Walsh, somewhat cryptically, stated “if he'd (Passage Vendome) have won at Ballinrobe I wouldn't be here today, I'd be at home playing with the kids!”

He added “he was entitled to win as I think it was a stronger race at Ballinrobe in which he was going to win until coming down at the last. He actually jumped the last two well that day and landed too steep.

“Still it's nice when a horse falls to see them come back and jump well and he jumped super today.”

Winning trainer Willie Mullins was represented by his son Patrick Mullins who stated “he's a summer horse really and all his best form is on good ground. Emmet (Mullins) usually rides him but he's away in Australia with Simenon.

“Simenon runs on Saturday in a prep run for the Melbourne Cup and his weight is spot on at present and Emmet said he's in as good form as he has ever been.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee.