Talk The Talk made a seamless transition to Grade Three Company with an emphatic win in the Jack McInerney Memorial Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Winner of the first hurdle in Limerick on debut for Joseph O’Brien last month, the four-year-old was dispatched 2-1 from joint favorite with I’m Slippy for this two mile affair.
However, he proved far too good for his market rival, responding in style when given the signal by jockey Sam Ewing and ultimately coming home seven and a half lengths clear of I’m Slippy, with Grade One winner Murcia back in third.
Ewing said: “He’s a beautiful horse. Once he got settled, after he got the first jump, he got into a nice rhythm and it all went smoothly really.
“I flew second to last and was a bit left alone there, but he is very honest. He will improve a lot in the future.”
When asked if he could become a Grade 1 horse in the future, he added: “I don’t see why not.
“It was a good maiden he won in Limerick but I think that was a big step forward today. He has beaten proven horses and other exciting horses in the field.
“Hopefully he keeps getting better.”
Drumgill made a swift return and paid off with a listed strike in the EASYFIX Equine Handicap Chase.
Last week he finished third at Punchestown and bounced back in style with a two-and-a-half length win over Touch Me Not in the hands of Michael Kenneally.
“He’s a magical horse. Things just didn’t go his way at Punchestown and he was unlucky not to win the Mayo National,” said winning trainer John Ryan.
“He crashed in Galway and then lost his way a bit.
“That’s seven races he’s won now, he’s a phenomenal horse. He’s a well-bred horse and a good, strong horse.”
“The Dan Moore (Jan. 10) here will probably be his next run. On soft ground he’s better than two miles.”
Gordon Elliott has high hopes for Skylight Hustle (4-5 favourite) after the €100,000 purchase opened his account over obstacles at the second time of asking in the Kettles Country House Hotel Maiden Hurdle.
The trainer said: “I would say he is a very smart horse.
“He had a great run on the last day, he was only half fit and he blew home. I was delighted with him because we knew there was a lot of improvement in him.
“We would have been disappointed if he was beaten here today.
“I’d say he’s a real two-mileer. He’ll be competing in the two-mile beginners’ race at Christmas. We should give him a chance, I’d say he’s a very smart horse.”
Elliott doubled in the closing Willie Elliott Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race with Keep Him Company (11-4).
He added: “He’s a nice horse, he’s a real stay horse and you’d love to have him. He’ll probably go for a bumper at Christmas.”
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