Seven post graduates of UCG had plenty of reason to celebrate on the concluding session of the annual Bellewstown meeting last evening when Gates completed a 20 to 1 double for the Dermot Weld/Pat Smullen alliance in the Tipperary Natural Mineral Water Handicap.

The seven-strong Sam Maguire Syndicate was unearthed during a post-match celebration in a Dublin hotel last September after Galway were victorious in the All-Ireland football final, and their wisdom was justified somewhat when Smullen sent the 6 to 1 shot past Times O'War inside the final furlong to land the spoils. Earlier Prince Valiant, carrying the colours of Peter Wetzel who, amongst his other interests, is proprietor of Doncaster Rovers Football Club, stayed on well under a determined drive from the Offaly rider to fend off market leader Sahara Song in the Dessie Kavanagh Memorial Maiden.

In the first division of the Seamus Mulvaney Crockafotha Handicap Hurdle, Duinin and Charlie Swan were initially beaten a neck by Altitude and Joe Casey, but the placings were reversed after a stewards inquiry. Casey was banned for five days for careless riding after drifting across Duinin in the final 25 yards.