Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gord goes on another Walkabout
WALKABOUT completed back-to-back wins in the €30,000 Burleigh Accountancy Handicap Hurdle, last night’s feature in Ballinrobe.
Some 6lb. higher than when scoring under Jack Kennedy last year, the five-year-old defied top-weight in style, forging clear of The Irregular to triumph by six lengths for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell.
And the winning rider acknowledged: “It was an ideal race for him and he obviously has a liking for the place. He wasn’t giving away too much weight and got away with the ground. Everything suited him today and he won well.”
Walkabout is now likely to target the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle in Listowel before reverting to the flat.
Ruby Walsh guided 4/9 favourite Fabulous Saga, trained by Willie Mullins, to a wide margin victory over Masterson in the Bank Of Ireland Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old was in command from half-way and readily added to his point-to-point and bumper successes.
Trainer Conor O’dwyer continued his purple patch when Don’t Let Go, ridden by Ricky Doyle, justified 5/4 favouritism in the mares maiden hurdle, coasting home a smooth seven lengths winner.
The JP Mcmanus-owned five-year-old was O’dwyer’s fourth winner from his last four runners, although the run ended later on the card.
And Joseph O’brien saddled a one-two in the opening juvenile hurdle, landing the prize with Pronounced, the outsider of his three runners, which came from off the pace under Jody Mcgarvey to master Thomas O’malley. With the third O’brien runner, favourite Richard Strauss well beaten.
the ending of his role as retained rider to Gigginstown House Stud, Bryan Cooper has ended his association with agent Kevin O’ryan and will now be looked after by Ciaran O’toole.