Tilani evokes memories of old in landing Flat finale for Weld Although no longer the dominant force of old at Ballybrit, trainer Dermot Weld showed that he can still line one up for the festival when Tilani landed some tidy bets in the Village Salthill Handicap at Galway. Sent off a well supported 10/3f (from 5/1), the Belardo gelding registered his first success at the seventh time of asking, in the final Flat race of the week. Owned by a staunch support of the stable, Michael Watt, the market leader was always prominent under Chris Hayes. Pushed along early in the straight, Tilani was ridden to head Flying Fortress inside the last 150 yards, staying on well to win cosily by half-a-length. Chris Hayes said: “It worked out perfect with a good draw for once this week and I got a lovely slip through. “The boss wanted me to play my cards late. I had to sit turning in and it worked out a treat. “He was bought for here for the owner and it’s nice when it comes off. “We learned plenty about him in his two runs in Leopardstown. I gave him a hair-brained ride one day when he was a bit keen and then the second day the ground was too quick for him. “We knew coming here that we’d get some juice in the ground.” Following this race, Jack Kennedy was confirmed leading NH rider and Dylan Browne McMonagle got the Flat award. Willie Mullins was crowned top trainer for the tenth time. Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
