The jackpot pool at Galway today will be hugely boosted by a carryover of #84,942 following a number of surprise results as the three-day September meeting got underway yesterday.
There were three runners without any units in the final leg of the jackpot, the 16 runner Great Southern Hotels Galway Handicap, and the Tony Martin-trained Oran led a furlong out under Tadgh O'Shea to provide the carryover.
Martin explained to the stewards that the four-year-old is difficult to train (wind sucker and a box walker), and that he has changed his training routine.
Colm O'Donoghue was given a two day suspension for careless riding aboard Bay Ridge (finished seventh) in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Maiden, after an incident involving a number of horses soon after the start. Michael Hussey got Colouring up in the final strides to pip Serpico in this extended mile event.
Blow Wind Blow appears to reserve his best form for Ballybrit, and was stepped up considerably in trip to take the three mile Gerald Naughton Memorial Handicap Hurdle under Conor O'Dwyer. The Frank Berry-trained gelding was about to head Valley Of Kings when that rival fell at the last, and badly hampered Rhapsody Gale.
Punters got off to a good start with the strongly fancied pair Ceoil Agus Craic and Patsy Veale taking the opening two races. Ceoil Agus Craic made all in the hands of John Cullen in the Connacht Tribune Beginners Chase, while Patsy Veale headed Gypsy Melody before the last to justify odds-on support in the Kenny Development Group Maiden Hurdle.
