Punchestown Festival:The Walsh dynasty wasted no time in putting its stamp on the 2009 Punchestown Festival. Before Ruby rode a double on board Hurricane Fly and Master Minded, his sister, Katie, was busy opening the week with a win of her own on Wedger Pardy, trained by dad, Ted.
It was a repeat success in the KHC Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase for the eight-year-old that had just the one start to his name since his 14-length romp 12 months ago.
He again found the unique challenge of the cross-country course to his liking by collecting at odds of 9-2.
“It is an ordinary old race for horses like him,” Walsh Snr said. “He is a law unto himself, but he likes the banks course and was the best of an ordinary bunch.
“This is a special race to many people and I won it myself as a rider.
“The plan is to run the horse again here on Saturday.”
Truckers Delight turned the competitive Masterchef Hospitality Handicap Hurdle into a procession as he sauntered clear under Conor O’Farrell.
John Joseph Hanlon’s charge was sent off at 16-1, having failed to score on his last six starts, but travelled powerfully throughout the two-mile heat.
O’Farrell cut a confident figure as he sat motionless on the run to the final flight.
Once he pushed the button, his mount responded by quickening six lengths clear of The Last Derby.
Native Clan, 7-2 favourite, was third, while Ruby Walsh was fourth on Imperial Hills (8-1).
“Conor gave him a great ride," Hanlon said. “I thought this horse was very unlucky in the big handicap at Fairyhouse as he clipped heels coming round the bend.
“If he hadn’t, I think he’d have won.
“It’s great to come up here and win a race like this.
“We didn’t think he’d get into the race on Saturday (Whitewater Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle) but looking at it this morning, he should do, so we’ll run him again.
“He’s a horse who loves his racing and ran four times at Galway last summer.”
Imperial Cascade stayed on strongly to give the Harrington family a memorable success in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper.
The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding was sent off the 4-1 market leader, having finished third on his Fairyhouse debut, and pulled the trainer’s daughter, Kate, to the front on the turn for home.
Sparkling Tara loomed up as a big danger halfway up the straight, but Imperial Cascade always appeared to have matters in hand and passed the post half a length to the good.
It was an emotional success for owner Judy Wilson, whose husband Lynn died in a car crash last July.
“I’m over the moon about that and Lynn would have loved it,” she said. “Katie gave him a great ride and she was fabulous on him.”
Harrington added: “Someone just said to me that it is better than Moscow Flyer winning.
“I’m not sure about that, but it’s fantastic Katie rode him to win. There was a lot of pressure on her and it was good of Mrs Wilson to let her ride again.
“That will be it for the year and I think he’ll make up into a very nice horse.”