Galway Festival Report and preview: David Casey timed his Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate challenge to perfection on Ansar yesterday but it was a month previously that the jockey proved such timing was anything but a fluke.

A year ago, the Plate had been a difficult experience, and Casey returned to a frostier reception, after finishing only fifth. Dermot Weld proved yet again yesterday, with a close on 70-1 four-timer, that he remains as much of a course specialist as Ansar and at the time Casey was no doubt made aware of his error. But the partnership wasn't finished.

Ansar didn't see a fence in anger since but he ran on the flat at the Curragh on Derby day and Casey guessed the time to ask Weld for the ride at Galway was right. Since Grey Swallow had won the Derby just an hour earlier, it was a good guess.

"He picked the moment well," grinned Weld who was winning the Plate for the third time. "I told him he could have the ride if he went around the inner and he has given the horse a brilliant ride." Casey diplomatically passed on all the credit to Ansar but it was hard to blame him as the little eight-year-old looks like he could navigate his way blindfold around Ballybrit.

From eight starts at the track, he has won six times including the 2001 Galway Hurdle. Knight Errant in 1957-58 was the last to complete the Plate-Hurdle double but Ansar did it without starting over fences for a year.

"I've run two horses over fences recently, Direct Bearing and Mutakarrim, and both were put up by the handicapper for winning small races. I was not prepared to risk this horse's mark. Five pounds more and he wouldn't have won the Galway Plate," argued Weld.

There was no sign of any rustiness as Casey placed Ansar just off the pace set by Prince Of Pleasure and Manjoe. The well- fancied Colca Canyon exited at the second fence and Rand was pulled up lame with a circuit to go. In behind, Weld's other runner Direct Bearing progressed on the outside but coming out of the dip Casey went up the inner and made for home.

It was the topweight Risk Accessor who finally emerged as Ansar's big danger under a Tony McCoy ride that trainer Christy Roche described as "brilliant." JP McManus's horse finished well but Ansar still had a length in hand.

"I was where I wanted to be the whole time. He jumped for fun and loved the ground. He's just a very easy horse to ride," reported Casey who completed his own Plate-Hurdle double having won the fourth day highlight on Mystical City in 1996.

Weld said that Direct Bearing had an Ansar-2003 experience but could yet emerge as a Grand National horse. Ansar however confirmed yet again Weld's mastery of this unique track and three other winners brought his total for the week already to five.

Rich Sense beat off Moratorium by a neck in the mile and a half handicap but the runner- up looked unlucky having had to check on the run out of the dip.

The winner though could make a quick reappearance in a listed race at Cork on Monday. The 1-6 mile maiden winner Spirit Of Age could also go to Cork for a handicap.

Niall Madden had a first ride for Weld on Orpington in the mile and a half amateur maiden and the promising jockey shone in getting the evens favourite home by three lengths from Delgany Toulon.

"He rode extremely well. I was a little concerned he was too far back early on but he rode with great confidence and great skill," said Weld who forecast a bright future for the winner.

General Feeling was last coming down the hill in the seven furlong handicap but flew up the hill under Padraig Beggy to win for the Lambourn-based trainer Sylvester Kirk.

"I wish I could say it was organised the way it looked the six owners are here for the week so we decided to run," said Co. Tyrone born Kirk. "He was outpaced early and the jockey did well not to panic."