Galway Festival: Ballyholland gave trainer Colin McBratney the biggest success of his career when running away with the William Hill Galway Plate. Having won in much livelier conditions at Down Royal on his latest outing, the eight-year-old was sent off at 16-1 for this €250,000 contest on ground that even his trainer believed would be too testing.
However, his fears proves unfounded as Ballyholland travelled like the winner throughout under Andrew McNamara and after taking up the running at the final obstacle, he stretched away in the straight to score by eight lengths from Knock On The Head.
“He’s won very well — I didn’t think he’d win it the way he did. We came here hoping that he’d finish in the first three or four,” said McBratney.
“We thought the ground would be too soft for him as he’s won on good ground for most of his career. The plan is to go for the Becher Chase at Aintree in November, but before that I hope to run him in the race he won at Navan last year.”
McNamara added: “We decided to jump off handy as he travelled so easily. He jumped the last two well and strode away up the hill. I took a look over my shoulder and I was surprised and delighted to see there was nothing coming.”
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got off the mark for this year’s Festival as Tawaagg justified skinny odds in the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle, and it did not take the trainer long to add to his tally.
Sent off the 4-5 favourite, Tawaagg was always travelling strongly in the hands of the champion jockey and eased away in the straight to score by five and a half lengths from No Stopping Sarah.
Mullins went on to complete a double with Blackstairmountain justifying favouritism in the williamhill.com-casino (Q.R.) Maiden.
The 5-4 chance was given a confident ride by the trainer’s son Patrick and cruised up to challenge Miss Chaparral for the lead halfway up the straight before gradually pulling away to score by four lengths.
Steve Capall (12-1) showed a tenacious attitude to come out on top in a thrilling finish to the williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle under Paul Carberry.
Noel Meade’s six-year-old looked at the mercy of The Rebel Returns after turning for home and despite being headed after the final flight, Steve Capall came back for more to score by a head.
Charleville turned what looked a competitive event into a procession in the William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap.
Patrick Cody’s four-year-old was sent off at 20-1, having previously failed to hit the mark in 14 starts on the level, but cruised to the front under Danny Grant turning for home and careered away to score by eight lengths.
There was an exhilarating finish to the William Hill Irish Sports Book 2009 Handicap where Gimli’s Rock (14-1) and Keagan Latham narrowly edged out Izagonawin and Billy Lee by a short-head.