Orchard Road and Ruby Walsh on the way to a convincing victory© Photo Healy Racing
An American-bred by Street Cry he may be, but Orchard Road looks to be in the form of his life now at the age of nine. He brought up a Limerick treble for Ruby Walsh, and a double for Gordon Elliott, with his win in the Shannon Airport Christmas Racing Festival 26th — 29th December Handicap Hurdle.
Elliott had taken the preceding heat with the Cian Collins-partnered Cadeau Du Bresil Walsh meanwhile was on the opening Willie Mullins brace of winners, Kemboy and Cadmium
Here Orchard Road, returning quickly after a Navan third placing five days ago, took over from Magna Cartor at the penultimate flight, and he jumped the last two well on the way to a six and a half length dismissal of Goulane Davina
"He ran a great race at Navan the last day and I thought it was his best run of all," commented Elliott.
"I was just a bit nervous with the ground about to go soft so we took our chance and it worked out grand.
"Ruby said there was no pace. While we normally ride a waiting race on him, he said there was no point here. It worked out great.
"As long as the ground stays dry he'll run again and he jumps a fence too."
(TW & EM)
