Kevin Power was the happiest man in Galway on Monday night after landing the feature GPT Galway (QR) Handicap aboard Kentucky Charm.
The Limerick rider took one of the biggest races of the year for amateurs when the Edward O'Grady-trained gelding ran out a convincing two-and-a-half-length winner of the 75,000 event.
Power let his mount hit the lead three furlongs out and kicked him clear before the straight. He always looked in command thereafter as he came home ahead of 13/2f Athlumney Lad.
'This is one of the amateur riders' big days in the whole calendar and I'm absolutely thrilled to have won it,' said Power afterwards. 'It's one of the races you would always like to win.'
Dermot Weld got the week off to a good start with a first and last race double courtesy of Kinger Rocks and Dasher Reilly.
Kinger Rocks was well backed (2/1 to 7/4f) in the GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle and didn't let punters down. She moved through to challenge Rajayla turning for home and asserted close home for a three-length victory.
Dasher Reilly completed the brace when making an impressive debut in the GPT Waterford INH Flat Race under Nina Carberry. The gelding recorded a comfortable four-length victory over Slaney Eagle.
Ruby Walsh, successful on Kinger Rocks, narrowly failed to record a quick double when Thunder Road lost out to the renewed challenge of Mahdi De Coeur in the GPT Dublin Handicap Hurdle.
The pair battled it out in the straight with Thunder Road edging ahead after the last, but Philip Carberry got a good tune out of Mahdi De Coeur and he surged ahead again close home to win by a neck.
The GPT Access Equipment EBF Maiden also produced a thrilling finish with the Frank Ennis-trained Sandton City winning a duel with Galantas to score by a head.
Galantas had led and disputed throughout but was collared by Sandton City at the furlong pole. The 5/2f soon got his head in front and maintained that advantage to the line.
Indian Four swooped inside the final furlong to land the GPT Cork Handicap while the consistent Noend made every yard of the running to take the GPT Van & Truck Rentals Handicap.
