Galway Festival:Ask Jack gamely made all to land the feature Topaz Mile European Breeders Fund Handicap at Galway for jockey Chris Hayes and trainer Joe Murphy. Up front proved the best place to be in the extended mile event as there was plenty of trouble in behind, with 4-1 favourite Mujaazef one of the sufferers.
At the business end, the 9-1 winner kept on for a two-and-a-half-length success over Mid Mon Lady, with Worldly Wise third and If Per Chance fourth.
A delighted Murphy said: “This race was always a race I wanted to win and it registers up there with my biggest achievements as a trainer, having trained Ardbrae Lady to finish second in an Irish 1000 Guineas a few years ago (2006).
“Ask Jack finished second in a seven-furlong handicap last year and the plan since then was to run here in this race.
“His good draw was vital - you need a good draw to win this race - and he is very genuine. He’ll run here again on Saturday in a seven-furlong handicap.”
English raider Invisible Man (3-1 favourite) turned the Latin Quarter Chaseinto a procession.
Having his second start for Ian Williams after winning at Market Rasen last month, the five-year-old raced in touch and put the race to bed with a couple of great jumps at the final two fences.
Barry Geraghty was in cruise control thereafter as he trotted past the line 11 lengths ahead of 100-1 outsider Tory Hill Lad.
Williams, winning at the festival for the first time since 2002, said: “He was in the Plate, but only made it as second reserve. They are two very different
races and today’s race suited him down to the ground.
“He jumped well, travelled well and as the race unfolded he travelled into it very comfortably.
“Never say never, but I think it’s unlikely he would run again tomorrow even if he got into the race.
“I have only had him two months — he has great potential, is a novice for this season and will be given a break now.”
Dermot Weld secured his third winner of the week as talented bumper performer Universal Truth got off the mark over obstacles in the Topaz Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old was placed in Grade One company in the National Hunt Flat sphere and was sent off the 13-8 favourite having finished third on his hurdling introduction.
Always well to to the fore under Robbie McNamara, the five-year-old led hurdling debutant Drumfire into the straight and after a fluent leap at the final flight, he pulled it out to score by half a length.
Weld said: “Universal Truth jumped very well, not just at that final flight, and he knew his job - we schooled him well at home.
“The runner-up looks very decent so it was a good performance to win.”
Team Weld bagged another winner, although this time at the expense of favourite-backers, as Easy Mate (12-1) dug deep to defy her big weight in the Topaz Handicap.
Always in the slipstream of leader 5-1 market leader Don Leone, Leigh Roche’s 7lb claim proved invaluable as the pair did battle off the final turn, with a neck being the margin of victory as the Aidan O’Brien-trained runner-up fought back bravely.
Weld said: “I decided to claim from her and Leigh suited. He works for me and has strengthened up in the saddle in the last year.
“Easy Mate was almost literally knocked down in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh the last day when she met traffic problems.”
And the master of Rosewell House was at it again when well-bred newcomer Zaminast - a half-sister to the stable’s Famous Name - took the Caulfieldindustrial.com European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden in the hands of Pat Smullen at 4-1.