Blackmail justified market support as he made a winning debut over obstacles in the €100,000 Tote Pick Six Guarantee Maiden Hurdle, the opening race on Day Three of the Galway Festival.
Tony Martin’s charge was sent off the 5-4 favourite for his first try over hurdles, having been down the field in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and finishing second to stablemate Ted Veale on the level last time out.
Ruby Walsh was happy to sit in behind on Blackmail as Tisamystery cut out the early running but once he moved to the front on the turn for home, there was little doubt about the result. A clean leap at the last sealed the victory and Blackmail powered away to win by 12 lengths from Enchanted Forest.
Martin and owner John Breslin were following up on Tuesday evening’s victory for Busted Tycoon.
And Walsh and Martin made it a double on the day as Victrix Gale ran out a convincing winner of the €40,000 Tote Jackpot Guarantee Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was switching back to the smaller obstacles after a couple of unsuccessful chase starts in Britain and she made short work of her rivals in this three-mile affair.
While the soft ground may not have been ideal, 7-2 favourite Victrix Gale picked up after the last to win by a cosy seven lengths from Happy New Year with Your Busy back in third.
Martin said: “I’m just happy that they’re running so well and it’s great that they’re winning. “This mare won three last year. She ran very well at Perth on her comeback run and she then pulled muscles after a mistake she made at Uttoxeter.
“We were concerned about the ground but she did do a super bit of work last Friday.”
Union Dues continued the theme of wide-margin winners as the 11-10 favourite emerged six lengths to the good in the Tote Win 24 per cent Better Than Bookmakers SP (Q.R.) Maiden.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, Union Dues was having his first outing since finishing eighth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham back in March.
Despite Union Dues being shuffled back on the first turn, he showed plenty of ability to power home down the outside and easily account for runner-up Darwins Fox.
The winning rider said: “He’s a very good horse. I thought if he had settled at Cheltenham, he would have been second. All I had to do was steer him today. I didn’t mind (getting tightened up early on) because he was too keen at Cheltenham so getting the bump and getting in behind got him to settle.
“I think he’s a proper horse and he’ll be a great dual purpose type. The owner has already had Holy Orders and Deutschland and I view him as a similar sort. “I wouldn’t mind riding him in the amateur handicap on the opening day here next year.”
Robbie Dunne executed an excellent piece of front-running riding as he made all aboard Pyrus Gold Wind in the Bet €10 Get €10 At thetote.com Handicap Hurdle.
The 3lb claimer was positive from the off aboard Steve Mahon’s 25-1 shot, setting the early pace before kicking for home at the top of the straight.
His rivals had little answer as Pyrus Gold Wind powered clear and while Wontbelongnow and Point The Toes tried to pursue him, Dunne had stolen the advantage to record a 12-length verdict in testing conditions. Mahon said: “He’s a little terrier. I felt he was highly rated beforehand but he’ll probably get a hike for this now.”
