Hewick (green) © Photo Healy Racing
The Tote Galway Plate was as eventful as ever with plenty of thrills and spills from an early stage but it was Hewick (16/1) who came out on top to provide John 'Shark' Hanlon with a famous victory.
The seven-year-old, who landed the Bet 365 Gold Cup over six furlongs further at Sandown in April, was left disputing the lead when Fire Attack capsized five out. In front after three out, he made the best of his way home after getting over the final two fences in the dip but was carried right across to the far rail in the final furlong by the loose Exelerator Express
It was certainly an anxious moment for jockey Jordan Gainford but his mount stayed on well enough to just hold Darasso who finished well on the stands' side rail, by half a length. The 9/2 favourite El Barra was back in third with Ash Tree Meadow running well for a novice in fourth.
Winning trainer 'Shark' Hanlon said: "He is a great horse, is very easy to train and it is great for the team at home as he is our star.
"Our game has gone very tough with the price of feed and everything, and we are a small yard. It is getting harder every day and to win this is unreal.
"My mother and father haven't been racing for three years, I am coming here all my life so it is great for everyone. This and the Kerry National, I have both won and we'll head back to Kerry with him now.
"He came from the sales in Goresbridge for €800. I met this horse coming in the back gate with a lovely walk and Paddy Mullins had said to me years ago 'if a horse can't walk, he can't run'. I went there to buy another horse and live only five minutes from the sales company, so went home for grub but was thinking about him and went back down and bought him.
"It has been a dream since there as he was unlucky to fall in his point-to-points, and otherwise would have been sold.
"He gave him a great ride, knew the horse and fair dues to Gordon (Elliott) who allowed me use the chap - he could have told him to ride one of his but said 'your horse has a chance', so allowed me use him. He was the first man to shake my hand coming back in."
He added: "I sold him to TJ (McDonald) over a quiet pint one night in Punchestown and when my good mare Skyace was sold, he bought her and we have her back in training now.
"The reception he got today was unreal."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
