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Tom Weekes
Walsh works his Magic to end owner's jinx
Call It Magic
© Photo Healy Racing
The Ross O’Sullivan trained Call It Magic made all for a second win as many months racing from the front under Ruby Walsh, when landing the Kone Handicap Chase at Galway today.
Walsh, a brother-in-law of the winning trainer O’Sullivan, made all to win on the seven year old son of Indian River at Ballinrobe in September and adopted similar tactics today as the pair bounded up the hill to eventually beat The Winkler
O’Sullivan later said “the owner Zorka Wentworth is over today and she hasn't been here for any of his previous wins and thought she was a jinx but the jinx is broken today!"
He added “it’s great to nap another one and Ruby was a massive help. Ruby said he is like a horse who is just after getting confidence in himself.
"He had an operation for kissing spines during the summer and it was a massive help and he is happy in front and it worked again today.
"I've said all along that he is suited by small fields but somewhere along the way we are going to try something, whether or not it's a Paddy Power at Christmas, or keep him and wait for the likes of an Irish National.
"He is also a novice over hurdles as he never won a hurdle race and that's something to keep in mind as well. He can't run in a maiden but can run in a novice hurdle and I'd be open to all options with him.”
The Stewards interviewed D.J. McInerney, rider of The Winkler, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency.
Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended him for 2 racedays.