Hovering Hits The Target

Paul Carberry delivered sole British raider Hovering with a well-timed run to land the G.P.T. Sligo Novice Hurdle ? the opening race of the 2007 Galway Festival.

Mick Quinlan's 9-1 chance, who was making her debut over timber, took up a prominent position early and tracked long-time leader and eventual runner-up Mrs Diniver into the straight.

While that Liam Roche-trained filly set down to scrap out the result with 4-5 favourite Lisselan Eagle and Galilean, Carberry bided his time and waited until after the last before making his challenge.

Once he asked his mount to go about her business, Hovering responded instantly and surged past to win by an authoritative two and a half lengths.

Mrs Diniver proved most game in holding on for second, while Lisselan Eagle plugged away for third.

Rainbow Dash was a brave winner of the GPT Dublin Handicap Hurdle for jockey Denis O'Regan and trainer Tom McCourt.

O'Regan was always prominent aboard the 14-1 shot, cutting out much of the early running before kicking on again turning into the straight.

Although Tai Lass came with a powerful challenge after the last, the 10-1 runner-up could not catch Rainbow Dash who knuckled down to grind out a half-length victory.

Fiza claimed third with Shanballa taking fourth.

Lucifer Sam (3-1) just got up to pip Domestic Fund by a head in a thrilling finish to the GPT Access Equipment (C & G) EBF Maiden.

Pat Smullen set out to make all aboard 11-8 favourite Domestic Fund and he was still in front turning into the straight of the seven-furlong event.

However, Kieren Fallon was just getting the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lucifer Sam into top gear and he threw down his challenge inside the distance.

Although Domestic Fund proved game in defeat, he had no answer as Lucifer Sam just edged him out at the line.

The Dermot Weld-trainer Loyal Focus ran out a convincing winner of the GPT Galway (Q.R) Handicap under 7lb-claimer Matthew O'Connor.

Constantine was quickly away in the valuable two-mile event and soon built up a wide-margin lead with Port Jeff and Loyal Focus going in pursuit while 9-4 favourite Essex was prominent in the chasing pack.

As Constantine began to tire, Port Jeff and the winner began to reel him in with O'Connor kicking for home on the turn into the straight.

Loyal Focus (12-1) soon pulled clear and he kept up the gallop right to the line to run out a nine-length winner.

Essex finished with a flourish to claim second while Impudent, who missed the break, was a creditable third.

'The tactics worked to perfection,' said Weld. 'The original plan was to make it but I told Matt never to be worse than third and he had the race won a long way out.

'That's the third ride Matt has had for me and he is a boy with a future.

'He will now go for the Galway Hurdle on Thursday. He's a staying horse with a light weight and that's what you need on soft ground.'

Betdirect make Loyal Focus a 10-1 shot from 22s for Thursday's hurdle highlight.

'He only has 9st 12lb for the feature event later in the week and this has has the makings of another carefully laid out plan by Dermot Weld, who is of course the king of Galway,' said spokesman Charlie McCann.

(C) PA Sport