Gamekeeper recorded his second victory of the week when, following up Monday night’s win in the GPT Galway QR Handicap, he claimed the Kerry Spring Handicap in convincing fashion at Galway today.
Pat Hughes’ gelding, sent off at 5 to 1, is a true course specialist having recorded his only other career victory in the opening day highlight last year.
Johnny Murtagh took the mount today and when the pair set sail for home five furlongs out in the two-miler they soon had the field struggling.
Moll Hackabout led the chasers - but never looked like troubling the winner from half a mile out and Gamekeeper was eased down in the straight by Murtagh to win by five lengths.
"That fella has to come back here for every meeting. He just loves it here," joked Hughes afterwards.
"He has had a hard race - two hard races this week - and we probably won’t run him again until September."
Murtagh now leads the jockey’s championship by two having also scored aboard Brooklyn, who battled through unsuitably soft ground to record an authoritative pillar-to-post victory in the EBF Premier Nursery Handicap.
The 2 to 1 favourite set the tone for the seven furlong contest from the start - bouncing out under Murtagh and setting a sound gallop.
The pair were challenged two furlongs out by Dermot Weld’s Prize Time but that rival wandered as they turned into the straight handing the initiative to the eventual winner, who proved three-lengths too good.
"He must be very good as Johnny said he hated the ground," revealed trainer Edward Lynam afterwards.
"It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does to him now. I would love to go for the good nursery at Tralee with him.
Weld had earlier introduced a potentially smart juvenile in Rahn (2/1jf), who made a winning debut in the Dawn Hi and Lo EBF Maiden.
The Hamdan Al Maktoum owned colt travelled well in behind leader Slaney Sand and was asked to go about his business two furlongs out.
The son of Elmaamul responded well to Pat Smullen’s urgings and soon had matters settled as they turned into the straight. He eventually had four lengths to spare over Hanorla at the line.
"It was a good workmanlike performance," was Weld’s verdict.
"Our only concern was how he would handle the ground but as you can see he won by four lengths.
"He would like better ground but is a decent colt and is very adaptable. He done it nicely for his first time and we’ll look for a winners of one. He is a lovely horse in the making."
16 to 1 shot Rua Lass landed a nice pot for trainer Eoin Griffin when taking the £40,000 Dawn Milk Handicap Hurdle.
Sean McDermott, having his first mount for Griffin, gave the winner a well-judged ride.
The young jockey produced the Beau Sher mare to lead three out and repelled the challenges of first Circus Maximus, turning for home, and then Valley Erne, in the straight, to record a two-length victory over the later with Circus Maximus two-and-a-half-lengths back.
River Pilot, pulled up after blundering at Fairyhouse last time, improved his jumping to land the Jockeys Association Beginners Chase.
Norman Williamson, who came in for the ride after Paul Carberry asked trainer Noel Meade to let him off to ride Kilcash Castle, made his move on the gelding four out and although briefly headed after three out by Kilcash Castle he stayed on best to hold the late challenge of Penny Native by three-and-a-half lengths.
"He got an awful fright at Fairyhouse last time," revealed Meade afterwards.
"He was a bit windy today but took things nice and steady. Fences probably frighten him a bit but the race today should do his confidence the world of good. He will probably go to Tralee next."
Stamina was the name of the game in the Low Low Galway Blazers Handicap Chase and Prince Of Pleasure stayed best of all to land the spoils.
Barry Cash committed his mount five from home in the 2m 6f contest. Ballinarrid gave chase running to the second last but a mistake at the final fence put him under pressure.
It was left to the fast-finishing Guadalko to throw down the biggest challenge - eventually going down by three-and-a-half lengths.
Paul Roche recorded his third winner of the week when Bridge Hotel ran out a shock 14 to 1 winner of the concluding Kerry Maid Flat Race.