Walsh grabs the honours

The O'Callaghan Hotels Raceday brought the curtain down on the Irish Flat season at Leopardstown yesterday and it was Ted Walsh, more at home on the National Hunt sphere, who captured the honours courtesy of Andy Dufresne and Triumph Hurdle victor, Commance Court. Walsh saddled his first runner in listed company in the shape of last month's maiden course winner, Andy Dufresne and the son of Robellino duly obliged in the Eyrefield Stakes under Kevin Darley after wearing down Chenille at the furlong pole and stretching away to score by twoand-a-half lengths

"He's a proper horse, real gutsy," said Walsh.

Walsh and English rider, Darley teamed up again to capture the afternoon's feature, the two-mile O'Callaghan Hotels Leopardstown November Handicap, with Commanche Court who justified strong support (5 to 1 to 3 to 1 fav.) when coming home two-and-a-half lengths clear of Bolino Star.

Liam Browne's Orange Grouse deservedly recorded her first pattern victory after responding bravely to a strong drive from Stephen Craine to hold off Alarme Belle in the Alexander Hotel Knockaire Stakes.

Pat Flynn also recorded a double sparked off with Right Job which annhialated his 13 rivals in the opening seven furlong nursery to supply Wexford-born English based light-weight Jimmy Quinn with his second success in his native land.

Honours for the season went to Aidan O'Brien (Champion Trainer), Christy Roche, who was crowned Champion Rider for the seventh time and Eddie Ahern who captured the Cara Leading Apprentice Award.