RACING YORK REPORT:THE GALWAY Hurdle might not be the most obvious Ebor trial but shades of Ballybrit were all over Dirar's sparkling triumph in yesterday's renewal of Europe's richest flat handicap at York.
Gordon Elliott’s charge, the smallest horse in the race, had finished only third to Overturn in last month’s Galway Festival feature but while Overturn faded right out to finish a distant last yesterday, it was Dirar who came through under Jamie Spencer to beat Rosika and Bridge Of Gold.
The €158,000 first prize put a seal on a memorable summer campaign over jumps and on the flat for Elliott who is closing in on a quarter century of National Hunt winners in Ireland alone so far this season.
However, confining his sights to home has never been the Co Meath-based trainer’s style which is hardly surprising for someone who saddled the 2007 Grand National winner Silver Birch before even having a winner in Ireland.
“After he ran in Galway we decided we’d aim him back for next year’s Galway Hurdle. The plan was to come here and then maybe go on to Dubai. But that’s brilliant and I’m still shaking,” Elliott said.
It was a second Ebor for Spencer who quipped: “It should be nine I’ve had so much bad luck in this race!” However he added: “Gordon Elliott – what a trainer. When he was collecting the saddle he told me we were drawn 22 and asked me if that was good or bad. You could say he was more relaxed than I was.”
The draw turned out to be perfect as most of the field came up the stands rail in the straight and Dirar, a former Aga Khan-owned horse, came from well off a frantic pace to get the better of Rosika in the closing stages.
The 14 to 1 shot continued a successful Ebor Festival for Ireland after Rip Van Winkle’s Juddmonte success on Tuesday and Tony Martin’s Salute Him also ran a fine race yesterday finishing fourth. John Queally’s well-backed mare Elyaadi faded to finish 11th.
If the Co Tipperary-born jockey Eddie Ahern was out of luck on Overturn, then he enjoyed a fine win in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes on Approve who successfully conceded weight all round in the juvenile feature.
Approve was adding to a Norfolk Stakes victory at Royal Ascot and provided trainer Willie Haggas with a second Gimcrack success.
The 8 to 1 shot was under strong driving some way from home but kept responding to his jockey’s urgings.
The previously unbeaten Temple Meads travelled best into the final furlong but he was unable to repel Approve, who got up to score by three-quarters of a length. Crown Prosecutor edged out Sir Reginald for the runner-up spot.
“When I rode him in the July Stakes he was on the rails and he didn’t like that,” said Ahern. “When I saw the draw I was delighted to be honest, to be right on the edge.
“He needed every yard of the six so I committed early.”
The runner-up’s trainer Brian Meehan said: “It was a very pleasing run. We looked like we’d got the beating of the Super Sprint winner (Temple Meads) but then found the other one too good on the line.
“He’s come back from Goodwood well and he’s in all the races at the end of the season.”
Sir Reginald is owned by Channel 4 Racing pundit Jim McGrath, who said: “We’re delighted with that. He’s obviously a useful horse and if we place him right, he could win a Listed race.”
Temple Meads eventually passed the post in fourth and his trainer Ed McMahon, added: “He ran with the choke out slightly. It looked like he hadn’t stayed, but I think he just needs more cover. You’ve not seen the best of him yet.”
Ruby Walsh secured his first win since returning from injury as Glantara triumphed in the Jameson Novice Chase at Killarney. The rider had been sidelined for over four months after breaking his arm in a fall at Aintree back in April.
