No doubting Thomas at Galway

JP McManus claimed another significant landmark in an esteemed racing career when Thomas Edison gave the powerful owner a first victory in the Guinness Galway Hurdle.

No doubting Thomas at Galway

JP McManus claimed another significant landmark in an esteemed racing career when Thomas Edison gave the powerful owner a first victory in the Guinness Galway Hurdle.

The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old disappointed in the race last summer in atrocious conditions, but having warmed up for a second bid with victory on the Flat at the Curragh, he was a 7-2 market leader on faster ground.

Thomas Edison galloped through the €250,000 contest with panache in the trusty hands of Tony McCoy and began to move into contention jumping the second flight from the finish.

He joined the front-running Fergal and the well-fancied Bayan rounding the home turn and the three were virtually in line at the top of the short straight.

However, Thomas Edison clearly had more to give than his rivals and after skipping over the final hurdle, he was pushed out to collect by three lengths.

Bayan ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, with The Game Changer and Hisaabaat third and fourth respectively.

McManus said: “He was a bit slowly away but he got a great run around under Tony and got the run of the race.

“Thankfully it all worked out well. I’ve never won the Galway Hurdle before. It was on my to-do list so I’m delighted.

“I think Tony had the horse in tremendous form so well done to everyone connected with him.”

McCoy, whose other Galway Hurdle victory came aboard the Aidan O-Brien-trained Toast the Spreece in 1997, said: “He was very professional.

“He jumped very well and he travelled very well.

“It’s like any big handicap – you need a horse with a bit of class.

“He’s probably got great confidence from winning on the Flat, it’s helped him no end.

“It’s a good day for the horse to get into a winning habit.”

Martin said: “This has to compare right up there with my best wins ever.

“He’s a horse I put my neck on the line with, I used to own part of him myself before he ever ran.

“We put him to a lot of people, saying that he was a good one and I’m so happy the right people got him and it worked out.

“I always thought he’d win a race like this or the Cesarewitch and hopefully he is half-way there.”

Dalkova (13-2) had earlier made virtually every yard of the running to land the Arthur Guinness EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.

Dermot Weld’s Tested was all the rage as the 8-11 favourite, with her only defeat from four previous starts coming when sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Tested tracked the Johnny Murtagh-trained Dalkova into the home straight, but she was unable to reel in Niall McCullagh’s mount, who clung on to claim the Listed prize by half a length.

Murtagh said: “Seven furlongs or a mile is her trip and she’ll be stepped up to Group Three company now.”

Hasanour, trained by Mick Halford and ridden by Shane Foley, edged ahead in a thrilling climax to the Guinness Time Handicap.

Stretaw (5-1) came through to throw down a strong challenger for favourite-backers in the closing stages, but the 9-1 scorer passed the post a head to the good, with Shalamzar spotted making good late progress to finish third.

Halford said: “It’s been a nightmare week for us until this but this horse is settling better and has plenty of pace.

“He can step back up in trip again and he’d get another furlong.”

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend secured their third winner of the week as Alelchi Inois readily completed a hat-trick in the Guinness Harp Novice Chase.

Mullins said: “He seems to have a lot of scope and a lot of ability, but he is ground dependant.

Desertmore Stream, capably partnered by Brian O’Connell, later ran out a length-and-a-quarter winner of the Guinness Novice Hurdle for the Philip Fenton-Gigginstown House Stud axis.

Denis Hogan’s Ridestan (7-4 favourite) was another all-the-way scorer in the Guinness Surge Handicap, while Stephen Mahon and Denis O’Regan landing top honours in the opening GuinnessPlus App Beginners Chase.

The concluding Guinness Legacy Flat Race was won by Shark Hanlon’s 6-4 favourite Clondaw Farmer, who held Blueprint Bob by a short head.

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