Caim Hill (right) blunders over the last as Victrix Gale (noseband) comes through to score© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from her win over fences at Limerick recently, Victrix Gale exploited her low mark over hurdles as she took the John J Galvin Handicap Hurdle over 3m for Paul Townend and Tony Martin.
Carrying just 9-10, the 6yo daughter of Presenting was sent off the 4/1 favourite and given a well-timed ride by Townend she got to the front on the run-in to beat Caim Hill (10/1) by one and a half lengths.
The runner-up, who recently won on the level at Wexford, is clearly coming back to form and ran a gallant race in defeat after attempting to assert before the straight under Brian O’Connell for Philip Fenton. Back In A Tic also ran a nice race to finish third a further three parts of a length back under Davy Russell for trainer Colin Kidd at 7/1.
The winner was previously trained in the UK by Nicky Henderson where she managed one victory from four starts. The win coming in a Mares Novice Hurdle at Folkestone in March of last year.
She was bought by Tony Martin at the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales in May of last year for £10,500.
The winning Badgers Syndicate is made up of five members, four from Tralee and one from West Cork.
Victrix Gale is a half-sister to Takagi who won seven races for Edward O'Grady including two Grade 3 contest over fences and the Troytown Chase of 2002.
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
