< Victrix Gale took advantage of her low weight to complete a hat-trick in terrific style in the www.thetote.com Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Limerick.
The Tony Martin-trained six-year-old, winner of a hurdle race on her last start, was raised 11lb for her chase victory at the track in May but defied the hike in comprehensive style under a fine ride from Paul Townend.
The jockey was in no hurry as he took it up just before the second-last, where Victrix Gale (11-4 favourite) put in a splendid leap, and the combination cleared away without being overworked to beat Jamsie Hall by two and a half lengths.
Ruby Walsh rode a supremely patient race on his father Ted's 4-1 shot Devil's Elbow before winning the richest race of the day, the Limerick.ie Chase.
The jockey waited until well into the final circuit to pick up the leading bunch and gradually crept into contention before easing past Prince Ludovic on the run to the last for victory by three and three-quarter lengths.
Walsh did it differently on Henry de Bromhead's 6-4 favourite The Folkes Choice in the Bet On-Course With Tote Maiden Hurdle, leading all the way and resisting newcomer Lord Of Isenay by a length and a quarter.
The jockey looked set for a treble when Sicilian Secret travelled sweetly into the closing stages of the 26th July Twilight Racing Beginners Chase, but the favourite found little as Tom Cooper's Eightybarackstreet (4-1) bounded past under Robbie Power to beat long-time leader Lord Ben by a length.
The Tony Mullins-trained Clarach (9-4 favourite) was impressive in the Adare Festival Weekend Rated Hurdle, pulling double before sweeping into the lead at the last under Danny Mullins to beat Pires by two lengths. She is bound for the Galway Hurdle.
John Cullen quickened into a decisive lead on the home bend on First Impressions in the Hermitage Green Play Live 26th July Handicap Hurdle and Michael Mulvany's 20-1 shot kept up the gallop to hold Zaralabad by three and a half lengths.
