Galway Monday Review

King of Ballybrit Dermot Weld struck again in front of a record-breaking attendance of 22,595 on the opening evening of Galway's seven-day 2007 Summer Festival when his 12/1 shot Loyal Focus landed the featured ?100,000 two-mile G.P.T. Galway (Q.R.) Handicap.

Ridden by Wexford teenager Matt O'Connor, the Michael Smurfit-owned son of Definite Article was always in the first three and once long-time leader Constantine cried enough approaching the dip, the winner skipped clear to beat a never-nearer Essex by nine lengths. Willie Mullins' Impudent filled third a further two lengths back in third.

A delighted Weld explained: 'Given his light weight of 9st 13Ibs we planned to be in the first three all the way and the tactics worked out perfectly. I've watched Matt (O'Connor) a good few times this spring and he's very good. This was just his third ride for me and, in my opinion, he's the best seven-pound claimer in the country. This horse will run in the Galway Hurdle here on Thursday (10/1 with William Hill) and I'm not sure who will ride him just yet. He stays well and I knew this course would suit him.'

O'Connor (19), who is based in his native county with Champion Hurdle winning trainer Colm Murphy, enthused: 'It's an absolutely brilliant feeling to have ridden the winner of this race. I had to lose the guts of a stone in weight to take the mount, but it been well worth it in the end. It's by far my biggest success and it will take a little while to sink in. I have to pay tribute to Mr Weld for giving me such a great opportunity.'

Paul Carberry got his 2007 Summer Festival off to a flying start when steering the English-trained Hovering to a smooth success in the opening G.P.T. Sligo Handicap Hurdle.

Mrs Diniver made a bold bid to make all the running here under Barry Geraghty but had to give best on the uphill climb to the post when going under by two and a half lengths.

Trained by Tipperary native Michael Quinlan at his Newmarket stables, the 9/1 winner carries the silks of millionaire property develop Liam Mulryan, who is also the winning trainer's landlord.

Quinlan's brother Noel divulged: 'Michael isn't coming over until later in the week, but this is a good start for us. Paul (Carberry) gave this filly a terrific ride. I walked the track this morning and I thought she wouldn't handle the ground but it must be okay out there as she's a fast-ground filly.'

Richard Fahey's Sadler's Kingdom completed a double for the cross-channel raiders when running out a snug winner of the mile and a half G.P.T. Van & Truck Rentals Handicap.

Michael Hussey was at his confident best aboard the 9/2 joint-favourite who kept on best in the closing stages to register a two and a half length success over Jessica Harrington's top-weight Alpine Eagle.

'He's in again here on Wednesday and Thursday and, if he okay after this, he will run. I been trying for a while to have a winner here for his owners John and Jimmy Staunton and I'm pleased for them.'

Meath trainer Tom McCourt visited the winner's enclosure when his Rainbow Dash showed good battling qualities to land the two-mile G.P.T. Dublin Handicap Hurdle.

Denis O'Regan, who takes up his new post as first jockey to top English trainer Howard Johnson next week, kept the son of Rainbow Quest going long enough to deny the late surge of Tai Lass by half a length.

'He's had leg trouble in the past and it's great to see him back,' remarked McCourt, who added: 'He was third at Ballinrobe last week where they went no gallop. Today's race suited him better and the cheek pieces were also a big help.'

Kieren Fallon received a tremendous reception from the huge crowd on returning to the number-one spot after his mount Lucifer Sam came out best in a thrilling finish to the seven-furlong G.P.T. Access Equipment Maiden.

Dermot Weld's 11/8 favourite Domestic Fund looked destined to succeed for Pat Smullen until Fallon produced the winner with a telling late run on the outside that saw him score by a head.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien wasn't present but Fallon reported: 'That was a hell of a maiden and my fellow is fairly smart. I would have liked to have come through on the inner but I had to go wide to get a run. This horse will learn a lot from today and can go onto better things.'

Emily Blake defied top-weight in good style when turning in a smart effort under promising Cork-born apprentice Paul Townend to land the seven-furlong G.P.T. Cork Handicap.

The winner, who was winning her second race in five days having scored at Limerick the previous Thursday, is trained by veteran handler John Hayden.

He said: 'The handicapper said she was a certainty and he was right. I'll try and find a little race somewhere with a sprinkling of black type in it for her now.'

Five-times point-to-point champion John Thomas McNamara was seen at his brilliant best when giving John Mulhern's 14/1 outsider Pistol Flash a power-packed drive to land the concluding two-mile G.P.T.Waterford Flat Race.

Tote Turnover ?1,104,765 (2007) ?900,422 (2006)

Bookmakers Turnover ?2,672,338 (2007) ?2,766,828 (2006)