Punters angry over 'soft ride' as 2-9 favourite beaten in closing stages at Tramore

Many punters were fuming after a 2-9 favourite was beaten at Tramore after what has been called "a soft ride".

Mark Walsh rode the JP McManus-owned horse Jolie Coeur Allen in the 2024 Annual Badge at Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle on Tuesday.

The horse was heavily backed after finishing fifth of 20 runners in a Grade 2 flat race at Aintree when last seen in April.

That form looked to be the strongest on show in the race and all seemed to be going to plan as the Doctor Dino gelding hit the front jumping the second-last flight.

Walsh, 37, was motionless on his mount until beginning to slightly niggle the Jolie Coeur Allen as he looked to put the race to bed in the closing stages.

The only challenger was 7-1 shot Soldante who was under pressure from his jockey Eoin Walsh to close the gap on the leader who hit 1.02 on the exchanges in running.

But in the closing 150 yards, Soldante ranged up beside the odds-on favourite, who could find little when Walsh tried to press all of his buttons.

What looked like being a cosy success for the McManus horse turned into a shocking reversal in a matter of strides.

And many punters on social media were quick to criticise Walsh for his ride.

One said: "Stewards should be asking the question of Mark Walsh for his very soft ride on Jolie Coeur Allen at Tramore. The hot favourite rolled."

Another said: "Mark Walsh is usually a steady and reliable rider, but he has had a bad day at the office today at Tramore."

Legendary jockey Ruby Walsh, who was on punditry duties for Racing TV, argued that Jolie Coeur Allen was running on fumes and the ride was not to be blamed.

But many punters were angered by the ride Walsh gave the odds-on favourite.

One person said: "That ride from Mark Walsh was terrible."

While another commented: "Think Mark Walsh is a decent jock but my god what an awful ride that was. One of the worst, so so bad."

The Raceday Stewards looked into the riding of Jolie Coeur Allen, with their report starting that: "M.P. Walsh stated that his filly ran very keen throughout and never settled.

"He added that the two hurdles in the straight being bypassed didn't help as these would have enabled him to get a breather and as soon as he let her down she emptied."

Trainer Willie Mullins was represented by Brendan Kenny, who confirmed the instructions given adding that he was happy with the ride.

The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Jolie Coeur Allen (FR) was post race normal.

Walsh dusted himself down and came out to ride 3/1 shot Buachaillbocht, who was gambled in from 7/1, to victory in the 2024 Group Package Deals Online Handicap Hurdle for McManus and trainer Ted Walsh.