Premier League, left, sets sail for home© Photo Healy Racing
Premier League justified strong market support with a decisive victory in the claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap.
Michael Mulvany 's charge held a good position from stall three as he tracked front-running Krispen
Gary Carroll sent him on entering the straight and his mount readily asserted in the final 150 yards to score by four and a half lengths.
He was returned the 5/1 favourite from an opening show of 8/1 and 16/1 in the morning. Vocal Music got up for second, without threatening, at 16/1. He was a length ahead of Krispen (6/1).
Like the previous winner on the card (Zander), Premier League also finished unplaced at Down Royal on Friday evening.
Michael Mulvany said: “We’ve been trying for years (to have a winner at the Festival) and have had loads of seconds. It’s great to get it.
"Every jockey that rode him this year has said he’s a Galway horse, and I said we have him fit enough as he’s ran plenty!
“When he hit the rising ground he really flew, and I knew that was the secret to him. He could run again later this week as the handicapper might not be too kind to him.”
Gary Carroll said: "We seemed to go a nice gallop. When Chris Hayes won on him (at Sligo in May) he thought he was crying out for Galway. He thought he would love it here.
"He travels very well and when you let him down he stays at it really well."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
