Galway Sunday Review 16 year-old Chris Hayes belied his lack of experience to bring Amourallis from last to first for a thrilling victory in the €100,000 Michael McNamara & Co Builders Dublin & Galway Handicap.Hayes was having only his tenth ride, and second success, when steering his mount through traffic to run down Senators Alibi inside the final furlong for a half-length victory.The winner had only just lost out to Palace Star in the McDonogh Handicap here on Tuesday and winning trainer Ger Lyons had words of consolation for apprentice Padraig Beggy who was aboard then but partnered stable-mate Jemmy John today.“I’m a little disappointed for Padraig as he gave it a great ride the other night. I’ll make it up to him in the future.“But Chris gave him a great ride. I had never met him before today and he did well to come through the traffic. The secret to this filly is having no weight on her. She goes up 14lb tomorrow and with the lad’s 10lb claim was effectively 24lb better off today.”Davy Condon had an afternoon to forget after receiving a seven-day ban for trying to weigh out without a back protector in the race. His mount Danecare subsequently ran out and unshipped Condon. He escaped without injury.The form of the McDonogh Handicap was given a further boost when Calorando, third to Palace Star, justified odds of 4/9 when making all for a three-and-a-half length success in the Mercer Hotel Rated Race. Jim Culloty collected the award for top jump jockey at the meeting after Spanish John gave him his third winner of the week when staying on well from the second last to take the Corrib Village Handicap Hurdle by three-and-a-half lengths from Firey Steel.It was trainer Pat Hughes’ fourth victory of the week. “He’s a hell of a stayer. He always had class and was only three lengths off Persian Punch on the Flat one day,” said Hughes.Johnjoe’s Express made all under Barry Geraghty to take the Tara Towers Hotel Handicap Hurdle. The winner was returning from a six-week break and showed the benefits when holding the fast-finishing Arachine by two-and-a-half lengths.Tribal Princess opened her account over fences when taking the Mercer Court Beginners Chase while Fit The Cove was an impressive four-length winner of the Galway Fairgreen Hotel Handicap. Brian Carey escaped injury when Wish Upon A Star slipped up in the contest.Rory Cleary was crowned leading Flat jockey of the meeting, with three winners, while Dermot Weld again took the trainers’ title with six victories.
