Ruby Walsh seeks to maintain momentum at Punchestown

Champion jockey will be on board Childrens List, Sure Reef and newcomer Brontide

Ruby Walsh, on Vroum Vroum Mag, celebrates winning the fourth race of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Ruby Walsh, on Vroum Vroum Mag, celebrates winning the fourth race of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Fresh from a remarkably successful Christmas, Ruby Walsh has three rides at Punchestown's New Year's Eve card.

The champion jockey rode 11 winners from 20 rides over the four days at Leopardstown and will be on board Childrens List and Sure Reef for Willie Mullins on Saturday.

It is Walsh’s other ride which is likely to catch some attention though when he teams up with Conor O’Dwyer for the jumping newcomer Brontide in a three-year-old hurdle.

The ex-Jim Bolger horse was progressive on the flat although both he and the aptly named A Year To Remember do have to concede experience to Dakota Moirette.

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Good opportunity

Sure Reef returns to action after almost three years out in a conditions hurdle which sees Monksland with an obvious chance although the giant Tycoon Prince is another in the reckoning.

Childrens List has a job on his hands in a competitive-looking Beginners Chase which looks a good opportunity for Joseph O’Brien’s Edwulf.

This one was still in contention until unseating Mark Walsh at the last in Navan when up against the subsequent Grade One winner Our Duke. The step up to three miles plus should only be in Edwulf's favour.

O’Brien teams up with Michael O’Leary for the well bred bumper newcomer Dawn In The Park.

Duke Cass brings a 6lb penalty from winning at Limerick on Tuesday into the 2½-mile handicap hurdle but can still exploit a light weight on these testing conditions, especially with Donagh Meyler taking 3lbs off his back.

Punchestown: 12.15- Edwulf, 12.45- Show And Go, 1.20- Monksland, 1.55- Dakota Moirette, 2.30- Duke Cass (Nap), 3.05- Our Lizzie, 3.40- Dawn In The Park Nap and Double- Duke Cass & Edwulf

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column