Thunder Mountain runs out an impressive winner© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld doubled up on day one at Galway as Thunder Mountain ran out an impressive winner of the two-year-old maiden on the card.
Pat Smullen always had his mount prominent from his low draw and he kicked on turning for home in the seven-furlong contest.
The son of Elnadim galloped on strongly in the straight to score by four-and-a-half lengths at 3/1. Dont Bother Me just got up close home to pip 2/5 favourite Line Drummer for second.
The market leader had disputed until running off the home bend and handing the advantage to the eventual winner.
The winner was showing significant improvement having beaten only one home on his debut at the Curragh back in May.
“We had a beautiful ride by Ruby Walsh in the opener and a lovely tactical ride by Pat Smullen there – on a two-year-old off the home turn,” said Weld.
“You can see the benefit of a run. He leans a bit right, as he did at the Curragh, and to be drawn on the rail was an advantage. That said he did it very well.
“The favourite ran off the bend and he was in the right place at the right time. When you lose ground on he bend here you don't win.
“His half-brother Riviera Poet won this last year.”
