RACING/Galway Report: Holy Orders cemented his position as one of the classiest stayers in the country with a great performance in the Guinness Handicap at Galway yesterday evening, in front of a crowd of 25,350.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, which was sent off the 100 to 30 favourite to give his handler a second victory in the race, stalked the leaders into the straight before sprinting past Eckbeag with a furlong to run. He had two lengths to spare over the former, with stable-mate Sadlers Wings half a length away in third.

"I'm delighted with both of them and they will go for the Ebor now," said a satisfied Mullins.

Jockey David Condon, who has won five times on Holy Orders, went on to record a double aboard Christavelli in the Smirnoff Ice Handicap.

Earlier, the locally-trained Half Barrell raced to a memorable success in the Tony O'Malley Handicap Chase, to record his second win in the event in the last three years.

Ridden by David Casey, the 6 to 1 chance was left in the lead when King Carew departed at the penultimate fence and soon quickened clear after a safe jump at the last. In the straight he stayed on resolutely to beat Native Commander by nine lengths with River Cora back in third.

"That's his fifth win here and we might come back in September. We thought the ground would suit him. He's won a bumper, two hurdles and two chases for us here," said a delighted trainer, Val O'Brien.

Edward Cawley is unlikely to forget the Budweiser Q R Handicap for a long time after Perfect Present gave him his first winner, from his first runner as a permit holder.

Approaching the straight, the 14 to 1 chance came under strong pressure and looked beaten as Silver Swan went a couple of lengths clear. However, Alan Crowe conjured a renewed effort from his mount that saw them get up on the line.

Elsewhere, the 5 to 2 favourite Love Triangle took the Smithwicks Maiden under Michael Kinane. The Titus Livius filly was a first Galway runner for David Elsworth.

Meanwhile, Timawari was a facile 25-length winner over Govamix in the two runner Harp Lager Race.