Tag Archive for: Galway

Buddy One makes winning start to life over fences at Galway

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Buddy One got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking when landing the Guinness Chase at Galway on Tuesday.

Paul Gilligan’s gelding was a high-quality hurdler who won twice last term and took home prize-money from a string of Grade One events, including placing fourth in both the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Champion Stayers at the Punchestown Festival and also second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

He made his debut over the larger obstacles against only two rivals at Galway, where he was the 2-7 favourite under the trainer’s son, Jack. At this local track Buddy One made light work of it, jumping soundly on the whole and striding to a seven-and-a-half-length victory to do the job nicely.

“He jumped great, he was clever and shortened when he had to,” said Gilligan.

“I was delighted with him the whole way and Jack was grand on him, he didn’t panic at any stage and let him pop. He winged a couple of fences.

“I’d say he gave a heave going to the second-last, but then class just pulled him through. He winged the last.

“I think he’s only about 70 or 75 per cent fit so he’s going to come on a lot from that. It was a lovely opportunity to start him off over fences.

“Where we go from here, I don’t know yet, but obviously our main aim is to try to get back to Cheltenham.

“We won’t over-race him, but we’ll get some good races into him. He’ll definitely face stiffer opposition through the winter, but that was nice, a lovely experience for him and especially here at home next door to us.

The November Meeting – Day Two – Cheltenham Racecourse
Buddy One at Cheltenham last season (Nigel French/PA)

“When you’ve a horse like this and he’s your best horse, and he’s owned by very good owners, you just want to get this out of the way and progress from here and see where he brings us.

“I was only looking at today, and today’s opportunity was lovely for him. He’ll get another before he goes back to Cheltenham in November.

“I’d like to keep it local and keep him off the truck – I’m not sure if there’s a race here later in the month, but if there is he’ll more than likely come back here.”

Eagle’s Way ahead under Chris Hayes in Galway feature

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Eagle’s Way produced a front-running performance full of guts and determination to take the Guinness Handicap, the mile-and-a-half feature on day five of the big festival at Ballybrit.

Having his third run for Bill Durkan after leaving Sir Mark Prescott, the Chris Hayes-ridden five-year-old showed a liking for this trip when winning last time out at Bellewstown, having been sixth over hurdles first time for his new yard at Punchestown.

Chally Chute pushed him all the way to the line, but the post came in time for the 8-1 scorer, who got home by a short head. Soaring Monarch was third, with Monday’s winner Sirius fourth.

“He’s a horse that we liked and we thought he’d win over hurdles the first day, but he kicked a lot of hurdles out of the ground so we reverted back to the Flat for now,” said assistant trainer Gary Bannon.

“We gave him a prep run in Bellewstown with this in mind and he won quite well. I suppose he’s maybe going to be out of handicaps now after that. Chris said he idled the whole way up the straight and that he was a winner everywhere, but was just not doing a stroke.

“It’s great for Bill and the lads, who are great supporters. This means everything to them, I think their last winner here was Quinmaster in the Galway Mile and that was a long time ago.

“Our horses have been running well all week and hitting the crossbar so it’s just great for a small yard to come here and pick up a big pot like that. It’s a big team effort.

“I think he’ll step up in trip. Sir Mark Prescott definitely thought he’d step up in trip. He stayed at a mile and a quarter in England for all his runs, and I was a little bit worried, but he stays very well and we’re happy to have him.”

Battleoverdoyen showed class is permanent as he came with a late run down the stand-side rail to get up in the Guinness Galway Blazers.

Willie Mullins’ Ontheropes was travelling well at the head of the field when he fell heavily after a bad mistake five out and brought down Motown Maggie. Francky Du Berlais was also badly hampered by the faller as Flanking Maneuver and Moonovercloon took it up.

Moonovercloon looked to have the race in safe-keeping after pulling away on the run for home, but Danny Gilligan timed his run to perfection on the Gordon Elliott-trained 11-year-old to win by a nose at 20-1, with Flanking Maneuver 11 lengths adrift in third.

“He was high class; he was a Grade One winner (Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown in 2019). He was very unlucky all winter with the ground being very soft, he was struggling with his wind on real soft ground,” said Elliott.

“We went hunter chasing with him and had a great plan to qualify him for the Foxhunters this year, but didn’t get to qualify him, everything went wrong.

“For him to come back and win for the lads here is great because they’ve been patient with him.

“He wasn’t going to have too many more chances which just goes to show if you don’t give up.

“He’s been a horse of a lifetime for me, I’ve had him since he was a four-year-old. Obviously he’s a Grade One winner and to come back and win for the boys today, if he doesn’t do anything ever again he’s going to have a great life.

“In fairness he has dropped a lot in the handicap, he’s 123 there and was rated 160 at his best.

“We’ll enjoy today and make a plan after that. He might got to Listowel for one of the handicap chases there.”

Volantis (4-1 favourite) came with a late challenge to land the Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle by a short head from Tounsivator.

Tounsivator, Lord Erskine and Metamorpheus took the final flight all in a line, with the latter fading out of the picture on the run-in.

But it was the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Volantis coming out of the pack who was travelling best of all and as he took up the challenge Lord Erskine could not keep up and it was a battle with the Mullins-trained Tounsivator to the line with a photo needed to separate them in Volantis’ favour.

“We weren’t happy at any point of the race. He’s a very hard ride because he needs cover,” said O’Sullivan.

“It’s exactly what happened last year, but he got beat on the line then. This year it just paid off and he was lucky enough to get out. He’s a classy horse, he’s quick over his hurdles and two miles is his ideal trip.

“He’s a nice ground horse, not a real heavy ground winter horse, so we’ll definitely roll into the autumn.

“He was very unlucky in Listowel last year as well. We might skip Listowel for the likes of Cheltenham in October and November. Those type of meetings before it gets heavy.”

In Excelsis Deo flying the flag for Britain in Galway Plate

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In Excelsis Deo bids to become a rare British-trained winner of the Tote Galway Plate on Wednesday.

It is 16 years since Oslot claimed top honours for Paul Nicholls, while the only other horse to travel across the Irish Sea and plunder the Ballybrit showpiece in the last half-century was the Philip Hobbs-trained Amlah in 1998.

Harry Fry’s In Excelsis Deo will line up as a leading contender for the €270,000 contest, having been saved for the race since landing the Grade Two Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in April.

The six-year-old, who is fitted with cheek pieces for the first time, is one of four runners for owner JP McManus, along with Gavin Cromwell’s Punchestown Festival runner-up Perceval Legallois and the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Saint Roi and Janidil.

Perceval Legallois (right) in action at Leopardstown
Perceval Legallois (right) in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

“Perceval Legallois ran well in Punchestown and this looked the obvious race to have a go at. Gavin is happy with him, it’s a very competitive race and you need a bit of luck, but he goes there in good form,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

“In Excelsis Deo ran well in some of those good handicaps in Cheltenham last season, Harry is pleased with him. He won’t mind the ground and we’re hoping for a good run.

“Saint Roi ran a blinder in Punchestown, he missed a fence and just got nabbed on the line. He’s going there fresh and well and Willie is happy with him and Janidil – but of the two, Saint Roi looks the one with the current form.”

The powerhouse stables of Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead are all well represented, with Mister Policeman perhaps the pick of the champion trainer’s squad.

Zanahiyr and course and distance winner Ash Tree Meadow look Elliott’s two leading hopes, while Rachael Blackmore has sided with Lets Go Champ over the other De Bromhead runners – Amirite, Toss Again and Life In The Park.

Noel Meade, who won the 2014 Galway Plate with Road To Riches, has a couple of bullets to fire in the form of recent Mullingar Midlands National winner Idas Boy and Pinkerton, who beat Saint Roi by a short head at the Punchestown Festival in early May.

Meade said: “Idas Boy obviously went up a few pounds for winning in Kilbeggan, but still the top-weight (Ash Tree Meadow) stayed in to keep him down the weights and if he gets a good run round, he has to have an each-way chance.

“The other lad is the same. You couldn’t be sure he’d get the trip, but I’d be more worried about the ground than the trip actually.

“As long as there’s a good enough ease in the ground, he has a respectable chance.”

Sirius performance from winner of Galway feature

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Sirius was produced to perfection in recording a 50-1 surprise in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap, the feature contest on the opening day of the Galway Festival.

Ridden by her owner David Dunsdon, the five-year-old was having just her second start for Willie Mullins – who was also responsible for race favourite Lot Of Joy – having previously been with Nicolas Clement in France.

Stone last at halfway, Dunsdon fairly slalomed through the field from two and a half furlongs out – where Sionnach Eile sadly went wrong – and arrived at the furlong pole full of running to catch long-time leader Baltic Bird and go on to score by three and a half lengths.

An emotional Dunsdon said: “I’m so thankful to Willie and his team.

“I didn’t ride for four years. I had a family, came out of retirement and this was the dream. I hadn’t had a winner in five years, so for your comeback winner to be this race… this is the race you dream of.

“This is bigger than the Amateur Derby at Epsom, this is like winning at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m still a bit in shock!”

When asked if he was surprised Mullins said: “To say the least!

“David asked me to look out for a horse for him to ride in this race, to try to win it, and that was two years ago.

David Dunsdon gets a big hug from trainer Willie Mullins
David Dunsdon gets a big hug from trainer Willie Mullins (Niall Carson/PA)

“I thought David had retired in the meantime, but obviously he had come back and ridden a few. He rides out with Gary Moore to stay fit.

“He actually never sat on her before, he was supposed to come over and ride her out and never did. It’s tremendous.

“David was champion Fegentri rider, which is European champion amateur rider, a few years back.

“He’s a fitness fanatic and keeps himself very fit. He bought a horse and put it in with Gary Moore, he’s had a few rides this year. Race-riding would get you race fit.

“I thought it was an extraordinary achievement. I’m delighted for him.

“The start didn’t go well for him, he wanted to be in the first four. He didn’t panic and sat where he was. He had the nerve to sit there and see what happened.

“She won easy. She had some nice form in France, she had been off the track with injury.

“It was disappointing that she got injured last year when we were trying to get her ready for this race.

“She’ll probably run again here on Friday night. She handles that hill alright.”

Feud simmers to the boil with impressive Galway victory

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Feud – a Dubawi half-brother to Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel – ran out an impressive winner of the Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle, the opening race of the big festival.

Formerly trained by Ralph Beckett, the four-year-old is now in the care of Richard O’Brien.

Last of 16 on his only run on the level for new connections, he took to hurdling like a duck to water when making a winning debut at Listowel last month.

In much deeper waters on this occasion and up against a Willie Mullins-trained favourite in Sysko, Feud (16-5), ridden by Danny Mullins, swept wide off the bend and powered away from Mordor to win by three and a half lengths.

“I was saying to Danny afterwards that it’s quite intriguing going forward as to what way he can go because that was quite impressive,” said O’Brien.

Danny Mullins with Feud
Danny Mullins with Feud (Niall Carson/PA)

“The nerves beforehand, it wouldn’t matter if it was a bumper in Ballinrobe I’d be under pressure. The last 48 hours have been hell, but we’re here and we’re through it.

“I loved the way he did it and I loved the way he jumped. He was a bit fumbly and made a few mistakes in Listowel. I thought that might be still in him a bit, but he was very clever.

“He jumped some of them beautifully and the ones he didn’t he just kicked them out of the way and never missed a beat. He’s a very interesting horse going forward.

“I’m delighted for the lads, it’s important to emphasise the importance of them to me. I’ve never got a chance to buy a horse like this.

“We’ll explore his ceiling over hurdles and if it’s a case that he comes back to being a lovely dual-purpose horse we’ll see. I’m not thinking about that, we’ll go home and make a plan.

“Beforehand I said we’re either going to Listowel for the Lartigue or else the Royal Bond. The dream has come true, for now.”

Rock Of Cashel looks a smart prospect
Rock Of Cashel looks a smart prospect (Niall Carson/PA)

Hot favourite Truth Be Told had to settle for fourth place in the Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden, as the Aidan O’Brien-trained Rock Of Cashel recorded an all-the-way victory.

The 3-1 winner had Winston Junior for company before Wayne Lordan put his foot down approaching the straight. He was really impressive from there, but in contrast it was always looking hard work for Dermot Weld’s Truth Be Told.

Only eighth first time out, Rock Of Cashel is bred to be smart, being a half-brother to dual Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “He was just very babyish the first day and in fairness he’s come forward from it.

“He’s still quite babyish, but he’s going to be lovely horse in time, he’s still putting it all together.

“We might look at something like the Futurity for him, some of those nice races.

“Wayne was very happy with him and he thought he’d come forward nicely from the last day. There is still plenty more to come.

“We’ll step him up into Group company and see where he fits in with the rest of them.”

Cromwell keeping Galway options open for My Mate Mozzie

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My Mate Mozzie is set to head to the Galway Festival for his next appearance, before a likely trip across the Irish Sea for the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge has won on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences, but has yet to claim the major prize his consistency merits.

The eight-year-old has twice finished second at Grade One level over obstacles and was last seen finishing a close-up third on the level in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Cromwell has given his charge options under both codes at Galway, after which he will be readied for an outing in York’s prestigious £500,000 handicap on August 24.

“My Mate Mozzie has an entry in a mile and a half premier handicap at Galway and he’ll also have an entry in the Galway Hurdle, which he finished third in last year,” said the trainer.

“I’m not certain what direction he’s going to go in. We’d like to go to the Ebor as well, but he probably will run in Galway first, as I think it’s three weeks then until the Ebor.

“He ran well in Ascot and that’s a little bit the story of his life – running well without getting his head in front.

“He’s been a great horse for us and does deserve a big one. I’d love to see him get it some day.”

Meade aiming high with Affordale Fury

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Noel Meade’s Cheltenham Festival runner-up Affordale Fury made a successful switch to fences at Galway on Sunday.

A silver medallist at a huge 150-1 in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle back in March, he was also runner-up to Gaelic Warrior in the Grade One Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and was an exciting chasing debutant in the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Beginners Chase.

Sent off the 4-6 favourite, Affordale Fury’s jockey Sam Ewing positioned his mount hot on the heels of chief market rival and Grade Two-winning hurdler Favori De Champdou throughout and having matched strides at the final obstacle, the five-year-old’s abundant stamina took over in the run for home.

Although Favori De Champdou refused to lie down, Affordale Fury stayed on all the way to the finish to register a one-and-a-half-length success following a satisfactory round of jumping.

Meade said: “It is a bit of a relief as in beginners’ chases you never know what will happen. He was very good, though, and those ex-point-to-pointers are well schooled. We brought him to the Curragh a few weeks ago and he was really, really good.

“He would like a little nicer ground than that and got tired in the end, but he didn’t get as tired as the others.”

Affordale Fury is now set for a rise in class.

Meade added: “Where I’d love to be is in Leopardstown over Christmas for the Grade One novice over three miles. We’ll enter him for the Drinmore in between, but might instead run in the Grade Two Florida Pearl (at Punchestown) instead.”

Grosvenor Square looks promising for O’Brien on Galway bow

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Grosvenor Square looked a name to note in landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Galway – a race Aidan O’Brien has dominated over the years, including with the likes of Kyprios and Sovereign.

A Galileo half-brother to 2020 Irish Derby winner Santiago, he was made the 6-4 favourite under Killian Hennessy and after being ridden to take control inside the furlong pole he was nicely on top at the line.

Entries for Grosvenor Square include the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, and a step up in class appears to be on the agenda next time out.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is a lovely horse, he is only starting to develop and was just right for starting here. Aidan thought it would be a nice introduction to get him started, but obviously they went steady which wouldn’t suit.

“He is a brother to Santiago and on pedigree and home work he will be a lovely middle-distance horse next year. We’ll step him up into one of the Group races now and everything is building to next year.

“It took Killian a long time to pull him up and he was only doing his best work once he hit the line.”

He added: “We’ve started many of the good horses here including Kyprios, and Navy Seal won here at the last meeting (in August). It is a great introduction for them, especially the middle-distance horses, coming down a hill on sharp bends and then coming back up the hill.

“It brings them along mentally and it is good to get runs under their belts at this time of year.

“Seamus (Heffernan) has three suspensions in a row so is off until the end of this month and with Ryan (Moore) in England, it is nice to get Killian another winner. All the riders are in and working hard and in fairness to Aidan he looks after all of them.”

“she is a very straightforward filly and was up to 1m4f today. I let her jump forward from the gates and she stayed well although it was a bit messy for the first half and I got the worst of the barging around the first bend.

“She has been a model of consistency and never runs a bad race. It is onwards and upwards now and she looks like she could be better next year.”

With Azazat a non runner, Joseph O’Brien’s Thunder Roll (7-2) had the form to suggest she could play a leading role in the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Irish EBF Oyster Stakes and so it proved.

Winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle said: “She is a very straightforward filly and was up to a mile and a half today. I let her jump forward from the gates and she stayed well, although it was a bit messy for the first half and I got the worst of the barging around the first bend.

“She has been a model of consistency and never runs a bad race. It is onwards and upwards now and she looks like she could be better next year.”

Final day double sees Mullins hit double figures for the week

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Saint Sam starred in final day double for Willie Mullins as the champion trainer ended another excellent week at the Galway Festival with 10 winners.

The Closutton handler has once again proved the dominant force at Ballybrit, with Zarak The Brave’s success in Thursday’s Galway Hurdle the obvious highlight of his double-figure haul.

Saint Sam was the 4-7 favourite to notch a fourth win from seven starts over fences in the the Eileen Kelly Memorial Chase and the result was never really in any doubt – quickly opening up a big lead under Paul Townend and coming home with 13 lengths in hand over Born By The Sea.

“That was a huge performance from him over that trip the way he did it. Paul never got a chance to settle him, he just galloped and jumped the two-mile-and-six,” said Mullins.

“I thought that was way better than anything he has shown. He’s given himself a very hard race, but it’s the way he likes to race.

“I think we’ll be looking at conditions races for him, but the Kerry National is worth a lot of money. We’ll think about it and he may be entered for it.”

Mullins teamed up with son Patrick to complete his brace as 4-9 favourite You Oughta Know followed up his debut bumper success at Kilbeggan with a straightforward win in the Fr. Breen Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

You Oughta Know ended the week on winning note for Willie Mullins
You Oughta Know ended the week on winning note for Willie Mullins (Niall Carson/PA)

Mullins said: “It was a good performance giving the second horse a stone (including rider’s claim).

“Patrick felt the ground was fast enough for him so we might put him by now before going jumping.

“It’s been a great week and the ground here is fantastic.”

The tough-as-teak Teed Up won the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for the second year in succession on what was his third appearance at this year’s festival.

The Emmet Mullins-trained course favourite won the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap on Monday night and was only narrowly denied a major double on the Flat by Brazil in Friday’s Guinness Handicap.

Teed Up has been one of the stars of the week at Galway
Teed Up has been one of the stars of the week at Galway (Niall Carson/PA)

Reverting to obstacles, Teed Up was the 4-6 favourite in the hands of Conor Clarke and got the job done with a three-and-a-half-length success.

Mullins said: “He has a serious appetite for racing and is an unbelievable horse to have in the yard.

“He loves it here. It might not have seemed that likely in the dip, but as soon as he meets the rising ground, he grows another leg.

“He’s had a tough week and he could tell you what the traffic has been like coming up here this week! I’d imagine he’s earned a little break now and we can start planning for next year.”

Fighting Fit (left) won at 33-1
Fighting Fit (left) won at 33-1 (Niall Carson/PA)

My Design struck of odds of 14-1 in the Kenny Galway Handicap Hurdle for trainer Declan Queally and amateur rider Ray Barron, while Philip Dempsey’s Fighting Fit was a shock 33-1 winner of the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase.

“Last year just didn’t go right, he had niggly problems the whole time. He never got a proper run at it last year and it’s great to get him back today,” said Dempsey.

“He could go to Listowel and it looks like he’ll probably get further judged on that. He didn’t travel early and lost his position a bit, but his jumping was very good and kept him in it.”

Dunum delights favourite-backers in Galway feature

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Dunum delighted favourite-backers with a clear-cut victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ahonoora” Handicap on the final day of the Galway Festival.

A winner at the track last season, Natalia Lupini’s five-year-old was making his second appearance of this year’s meeting after finishing a close-up third in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday.

With Billy Lee in the saddle, Dunum was the 100-30 market leader to go a couple of places better in this €110,000 feature and came home with two lengths in hand over Snapraeterea.

Lee said: “I thought it was going to be a big ask from stall 17 in a competitive handicap, but I got across nicely and he got me into a good position. I never really had any worries from there on.

“I was in front long enough and he was just doing enough in front. For a big handicap like that it was fairly straightforward.

“He gets a mile well and I just thought they didn’t go quick enough for him the other day and he was a bit keen. He’s an uncomplicated horse and just wants a nice gallop in front of him.”

Stromberg landed prohibitive odds in the Kinlay Hostel Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.

Joseph O’Brien’s colt was a 1-5 shot to build on a promising debut when second at Leopardstown and did so in some style, pulling 10 lengths clear of his rivals under Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was confirmed as the week’s leading Flat rider with five winners.

He said: “It was a very messy race. I jumped a tad slow and the pace was low. Coming down the hill I didn’t know whether to switch in or come around them but I knew my lad would pick up good and I didn’t want to get into any trouble.

“When I did get him out he picked up really good. He’s sharpened up well from his first run and gets through that ground really well. I loved the way he galloped through the line.

“Five winners on a big week like this means a lot.”

Hewick set for a break after Galway Plate effort

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Shark Hanlon is in no rush to firm up the next plan of attack with Hewick after he finished down the field under a big weight in the Tote Galway Plate on Wednesday.

The eight-year-old was bidding for back-to-back wins in the Ballybrit feature, but after racing prominently he weakened to finish 14th of 20 finishers.

Hanlon believes the rain-softened ground was to blame for his stable star’s below-par performance and he will now give him a short break before returning him to competitive action later in the year.

“He’s come out of it perfect, the ground was just softer than he wants it and that’s it,” said the Bagenalstown handler.

“He obviously had a lot of weight and you can give away weight on good ground, but you can’t give away weight on soft ground.

“He ran a cracker until they came down the hill when the ground got soft.”

Following his Galway Plate success 12 months ago Hewick looked set to land another major handicap in the Kerry National at Listowel until unseating his rider at the final fence.

He famously sparked scenes of wild celebration by winning the American Grand National before being saved for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he was still going well when falling two from home.

And while Hanlon is unsure on the route, he is keen to head back to Prestbury Park in March for another crack at National Hunt racing’s blue riband prize.

He added: “I don’t think we’ll go to Listowel this year as he’d have to give a lot of weight away again, maybe we’ll go back to America but we’ll see.

“We’re going to plan back from the Gold Cup, that’s what we’re doing. America might be in the plan and a run at Leopardstown over Christmas might be in it.

“I want to give him a bit of a break now. He’s gone back to the owner for a couple of weeks and we’ll see where we are after that.”

Fahey on the mark again at Galway with Ambitious Fellow

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Peter Fahey notched up his fourth winner of this year’s Galway Festival when Ambitious Fellow scored in the feature BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle.

Fahey had already struck with A Law Of Her Own, The Big Doyen and A Sign From Above earlier in the week before Ambitious Fellow prevailed at odds of 14-1.

It was the second of Fahey’s winners partnered by Sam Ewing, who was also on A Law Of Her Own – his first winner of the season.

Ambitious Fellow always appeared to be travelling within himself before Ewing made his bid for home two out.

Once he hit the front, he had to be kept up to his work to see off Noel Meade’s Bugs Moran by three-quarters of a length, with the favourite Icare Allen six lengths away in third.

“Sam made a good move to nip up the inner before coming down the hill and it could have been the winning and losing of it. It was a brave move but it worked out great for him,” said Fahey.

“He lost his form a little bit but had an issue after he ran at Limerick last year and it took him a while to get back right. He had a lovely run the last day when he was completely wrong at the weights, but it gave him confidence coming here.

“I was worried about the ground but it worked out great.”

He added: “There are four involved in the OGB Partnership including Ber (his wife) and after he won a bumper, we brought him to the sales but couldn’t get anyone to buy him. We brought him home and he has now won at the Punchestown Festival and has landed a big pot today.

“We had four winners last year, we’ve had good old craic again and it has been brilliant.”

Aidan O’Brien enjoyed a short-priced double through Navy Seal (1-4 favourite) in the BoyleSports Casino Irish EBF Maiden and Portland (15-8) in the Gra Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said of Navy Seal: “He was a still a bit babyish throughout the run but came on from Killarney, where he ran a nice race on debut.

“Seamus (Heffernan) felt once the penny dropped, he showed a nice turn of foot to quicken up and peg back Joseph’s horse (Bad Desire). He will come on from it and will be a nice middle-distance horse for next year.

“He’ll probably step up to stakes company now and into something like the mile Group Two at Leopardstown during Champions Weekend.”

Brazil finds the back of the net for big Galway handicap win

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Brazil bounced back from disappointment over hurdles 24 hours earlier to bag a big prize on the Flat at Galway on Friday.

Winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in March last year, he was pulled up in the Galway Hurdle on Thursday.

But the Padraig Roche-trained, JP McManus-owned five-year-old showed no ill effects back on the level in €110,000 Guinness Premier Handicap over a mile and a half, powering home to edge 5-2 favourite Teed Up and Chally Chute by a head and the same in the hands of Niall McCullagh.

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“Yesterday was the plan, but unfortunately that didn’t go to plan and in fairness to Mark (Walsh) he looked after him,” said Roche following the victory of the 14-1 chance. “We had him in today and it was great, Niall gave him a great ride, so I’m delighted.

“When I was only a young lad, Niall was in India when dad (Christy Roche) was over there so I’ve known Niall a long time. It’s great and he gave him a great ride.”

On being pulled up in the Galway Hurdle he added: “Look it’s Galway, the start is everything. Fair play to Mark he looked after him and he knew he was in today. He’s a hardy horse and there’s no bother with him. He came back, ate up last night and was bouncing this morning so we said we’d give him a chance.

Brazil and Niall McCullagh
Brazil and Niall McCullagh (PA)

“His pedigree is great, he came from Ballydoyle and I’m lucky to have a horse like him.

“He has a load of options, it was a bit morbid last night but today is great. It’s a great game.”

Toss Again (11-2) produced a performance full of class to win the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap.

With just one previous outing over fences to his name when winning a beginners’ chase at Limerick in May, the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old belied his inexperience with a fine round of jumping.

Pressed hard on the long run for home, Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount was not for passing, with a length and three-quarters the margin over Quantum Realm.

Toss Again winning the Galway Blazers
Toss Again winning the Galway Blazers (Brian Lawless/PA)

De Bromhead – who has a fine recent record in the valuable handicap – said: “I’m delighted for Tom O’Connor, his owner. He and his brother and his mum are here, so that’s great. He was brilliant, and Darragh was brilliant on him.

“It’s only his first run in a handicap and second run over fences, obviously he lacked experience but his jumping is savage and he was brilliant the whole way.

“I thought it (handicap rating) was fair, off his hurdle mark. We hoped he had improved for fences, he won his beginners’ chase nicely in Limerick. The lack of experience around here (was a worry), but you wouldn’t have thought it with the way he jumped.

“He really stayed at it and I thought Darragh gave him a super ride.

“We won’t rush, today was the plan and he’s still a novice. He has options.

“He probably prefers nicer ground, I’d say he’s better on better ground.”

Zarak The Brave lives up to his name in Galway Hurdle

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The aptly-named Zarak The Brave had to dig deep to fend off Jesse Evans to land the valuable Guinness Galway Hurdle.

A smart juvenile hurdler last season, some thought he may lack the required experience for such a test but he found plenty for pressure to deny last year’s runner-up, meaning Noel Meade’s Jesse Evans has now been placed in the race three times.

Mighty Tom had taken up the running from Cash Back three out and was still in with a chance when joined at the last.

Paul Townend lifts the Galway Hurdle trophy
Paul Townend lifts the Galway Hurdle trophy (Brian Lawless/PA)

However, Willie Mullins’ Zarak The Brave took it up under Paul Townend and could not have shown more determination in first fending off My Mate Mozzie, then the late thrust of Sean Flanagan’s mount.

Zarak The Brave (9-2) held on to score by a head from Jesse Evans, with My Mate Mozzie three-quarters of a length further back in third.

It was Mullins’ fifth win in the race since 2016 and his third in the last four years.

“Only one four-year-old that I’m aware of (Perugino Diamond in 2000) has won the race before and it says something about how tough the horse is. Paul was fantastic on him and had him out in the right position the whole way around,” said Mullins.

Paul Townend looks admiringly at Zarak The Brave
Paul Townend looks admiringly at Zarak The Brave (Brian Lawless/PA)

“There was no point in winning another small winners’ race with him so you look at iconic races like this when you have horses like this.

“I wasn’t too far away from Noel Meade in the stand and thought my horse was beaten so it is tough on Noel whose horse was second last year and fourth in 2021.

“Paul thought he was beaten but when he changed his whip and hit him one little smack the horse got down and galloped again. That just shows how brave he is.

“He looked a really decent horse when he won his maiden hurdle but got colic last winter and I had to put him by for the season. But it is all worthwhile now and he is obviously a graded horse. His previous form with Lossiemouth looks huge now.”

He added: “We are delighted today came off and his owners are here today – Isaac (Souede) came from Alaska to be here and Simon (Munir) came from the south of France.

“He is a lightly-race four year old and the Morgiana Hurdle is a possibility now along with the Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas in November. There is every possibility he could be a Champion Hurdle horse and he is going along those lines.”

Hercule Du Seuil produced a slick round of jumping under Mark Walsh to justify 8-11 odds-on favouritism for Mullins in the Grade Three Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase.

Hercule Du Seuil and Mark Walsh were faultless

Hercule Du Seuil and Mark Walsh were faultless (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mullins said: “I thought it was a great performance because it’s not long since he raced down at Killarney and he loves racing on flat tracks.

“Mark even thought before the race that he was dead in himself and thinks the horse is settling and learning to relax. That will help him see out longer trips and have more at the end of his races.

“We’ll run him in any two to two-and-a-quarter-mile races we can find.”

Mullins secured a treble in the finale when I Will Be Baie (4-7 favourite) won under Patrick Mullins.

Joseph O’Brien’s Miramis (12-1) was given a superb, ground-saving ride by Dylan Browne McMonagle to take the seven-furlong Listed Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.

McMonagle said: “She is a lovely straightforward filly, she jumped well from the gates, got a lovely position and relaxed well.

“The main aim today was to get black type and it was a career-best today.”

McGuiness lining up sizeable squad for Galway Festival

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Ado McGuiness is preparing to send a squad of as many as 20 runners to the seven-day Galway Festival.

His team will be led by course specialist Current Option, who is searching for a fourth consecutive win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ahonoora” Handicap on the final day of the meeting.

The seven-year-old has quality form to his name having won the Concorde Stakes and the Listed Platinum Stakes previously and has registered six victories for connections.

McGuinness said: “This is a Group Three horse, and a Listed winner as well, who’s running in a handicap.

“If you drop a Group Three horse back into a handicap, he’s usually the best horse in the race and usually when you have the best horse in the race they win.

Current Option after winning at the meeting in 2021
Current Option after winning at the meeting in 2021 (Brian Lawless/PA)

“You very often find Group Three horses running in premier handicaps off top weight and they often win them.

“I’m privileged that I have horses like Current Option who can run in premier handicaps.”

As in previous years, Current Option will once again warm up for his favoured Galway race by running in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap on the Tuesday beforehand.

“Current Option will run in the big mile race on the Tuesday as well as the race on the Sunday. He was placed in the mile race last year and I’ll take either. I don’t mind which one of them he wins!” McGuinness said.

“He’s quite a fresh and highly-strung horse, so if you just left him for one race he could be very fresh. Usually we target the two races with him.

Current Option and jockey Cian MacRedmond (right)
Current Option and jockey Cian MacRedmond (right) (Brian Lawless/PA)

“We ride him out in a hood most of the time at home. Ruby Walsh was up here a few weeks ago and he couldn’t believe he still rides out in a hood given his age but he is still as enthusiastic as ever.

“He’s in cracking form and my biggest problem I have is to try to hold his form for next two weeks. We’re looking forward to him running and just look at the form he has over there, he just loves the place.”

Saltonstall, Casanova, Sirjack Thomas, No More Porter, Hightimeyouwon, Laugh A Minute, Star Harbour, Half Nutz and Exquisite Acclaim are all pencilled in for the meeting, a fixture both McGuinness and his owners look forward to every season.

“Galway is a place where an ordinary fella can get results,” he explained. “You can have a nice, well-handicapped, horse who can do very well at Galway. An ordinary fella can make a name for himself there.

“The amount of recognition you get when you have a winner during race week at Galway is unbelievable, it’s better than three or four winners at one of the ordinary country tracks. It’s a place where you can make a name for yourself.

“I will have between 15 and 20 for the week, I’d say. You can only win the Lotto with one ticket, but the more tickets you have, the better chance you have of winning. That’s the way I look at it.”