Dermot Weld saddled his fifth winner of the week at Ballybrit when producing Galileo's Choice to make a successful jumping debut in the Tote Pick Six Maiden Hurdle.
Robbie McNamara 's mount stalked chief market rival Drumfire (4/1) on the downhill run to the second last but, after taking the lead at the final flight, the 4/6 favourite was all out at the finish to hold on by a neck.
Drumfire landed awkwardly after the last and that ultimately may have made the difference, while the front pair pulled a massive 28 lengths clear of Dingaling (6/1) in third.
It was the second successive year that Drumfire filled the runner-up spot behind a Rosewell House representative in this race having been denied by Universal Truth 12 months ago.
Weld said, “I feel for the connections of the second but they are two good novice hurdle horses, and its most unusual for Galway to go 28 lengths clear of the rest. Robbie had to go when he did and just got tired in the last 100 yards. He jumped well for a first run over hurdles, and the logical step is to go for a winners-of-one at Listowel.”
Galileo's Choice is entered for a mile and six furlongs race on the Flat here on Friday but Weld feels that will come too soon.
Alan Magee
