Talk The Talk walks the walk with Fairyhouse victory

Talk The Talk made a seamless transition to Grade Three company with a clear-cut victory in the Jack McInerney Memorial Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Winner of a Limerick maiden hurdle on his debut for Joseph O’Brien last month, the four-year-old was sent off the 2-1 joint-favourite with I’m Slippy for this two-mile affair.

He proved far too good for his market rival though, responding in style when given the signal by jockey Sam Ewing and eventually 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 lovely horse. Once he settled, after he jumped the first, he got into a nice rhythm and it was all plain sailing really.

“I winged the second last and was kind of left there on my own but he’s very honest. He’ll improve plenty going forward.”

When asked if he could be a Grade One horse in the future, he added: “I don’t see why not.

“It was an OK maiden he won in Limerick but I think that was a big step forward today. He’s beaten proven horses, and other exciting horses in the field.

“Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for him.”

Drumgill made a quick reappearance pay dividends with a Listed strike in the EASYFIX Equine Handicap Chase.

Beaten into third at Punchestown last week, he bounced back in style with a two-and-half-length victory over Touch Me Not in the hands of Michael Kenneally.

“He’s a magical horse. Things just didn’t go his way in Punchestown and he was very unlucky he didn’t win the Mayo National,” said winning trainer John Ryan.

“He got a fall in Galway and lost his way a little bit after it.

“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 (January 10) back here will probably be his next run. On soft ground he’s better over 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’d say he’s a very smart horse.

“He had a great run the last day, he was only half fit and he blew home. I was delighted with him as we knew there was loads of improvement in him.

“We would have been disappointed if he got beat here today.

“I’d say he’s a real two-miler. He’ll be going for the two-mile novice race at Christmas. We have to give him a go, I’d say he’s a very smart horse.”

Elliott doubled up 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 proper staying horse and you’d like him. He’ll probably go for a bumper at Christmas.”