Racing: Stunning View swamped brave frontrunner Royal Blue Star in the final strides to land the Topaz Mile EBF Handicap, the feature event on the second day of the Galway Festival. Trainer Dermot Weld had not won the €115,000 event since 1998 but his charge comprehensively ended that drought in the hands of Pat Smullen.
Shane Foley set out to make all on Royal Blue Star and he looked to have stolen the march on his rivals as he was still a couple of lengths clear turning into the straight. However, Smullen was just starting to motor on the 7-1 joint-favourite and Stunning View responded to his every urging down the outside.
He was flying inside the distance and while Royal Blue Star gave his all, he had no answer to Stunning View’s finishing burst and went down by two lengths.
Defining Year claimed third with Mid Mon Lady in fourth.
“He got a lovely ride from Pat. Everything went according to plan and he was in the right place throughout,” said Weld. “This is always a tough race to win. He appreciates an ease in the ground and my only concern was that it might be too fast.
“He won here as a two-year-old and has been a consistent, good horse. He had a very good run at Royal Ascot in the Hunt Cup and today was his day. He’s a well-bred horse and we’ll look at getting black-type with him. The logical way to go is a Listed race.
“He is in again here over seven on Saturday but I think that will do him for the week.”
Weld and Smullen were enjoying their second winner of the evening after Rainforest Magic (5-1) had earlier hit the mark in the Topaz Handicap.