Veteran Ballycasey defies the odds again under Walsh

The admirable Ballycasey recorded his 11th career success when overcoming a dual Jessica Harrington challenge in the Grade 3 McSweeney Arms Hotel An Riocht Chase.

Favourite Woodland Opera gave Robbie Power a nasty fall at the second-last, which put him out of action for the remainder of the evening, but his mount was certainly struggling to go with the Willie Mullins-trained grey at the time. It certainly seemed to be nothing short of a deserved success for the stable stalwart, who is improving with age if anything.

Winning rider Ruby Walsh said: "You saw at Punchestown that he's just not a Grade 1 horse but he's a genuine Grade 2 horse and carried the penalty today. He likes a bit of good ground, he's a great jumper and he's a pleasure to ride."