Galway Sunday Review

Galway's seven-day Summer Festival came to a close in front of 15,213 patrons this afternoon with victory in the featured ?150,000 Michael McNamara Builders Handicap going to Michael Grassick's Hard Rock City.

Seamie Heffernan's mount came out best in a thrilling three-way battle to the line when scoring by a short-head from Warriors Key, with Little White Lie three parts of a length away in third.

A relieved Grassick commented in the number one spot: 'I wasn't sure we'd won and it was really tight. That was a great performance carrying the weight he had. He's been a good servant to our yard and he probably deserves a little break now. The Concorde Stakes at Cork in October might be a nice end-of-season target for him.'

Delcan McDonogh, who partnered 25/1 runner-up Warriors Key, reported: 'My horse has run a blinder. I'd a terrible draw but he overcame that and it was just a bob of the heads really.'

Dermot Weld's love affair with Galway continued this week and the Rosewell House maestro, who was crowned leading trainer at the meeting for the 21st time, signed off on a winner when his Instant Sparkle scored in the Mercer Hotel E.B.F. Fillies' Maiden.

Pat Smullen, who collected the Flat riders' award with six wins, urged the daughter of Danehill clear off the final bend and the pair were not extended to beat Honey Run by 10 lengths.

'She's a very well-bred filly,' stated Mark Weld, representing his dad, adding: 'We are delighted with that and Pat (Smullen) was very positive on her. It's been a great week, as usual, here in Ballybrit for all our team and all the hard work has been rewarded.'

Paul Carberry, who rode the opening winner here on Monday evening, doubled his tally when giving Brave Right a powerful drive to land the Corrib Village Beginners Chase.

Third entering the final furlong, Carberry got to work on the son of Right Win, who responded gamely for pressure to see off the challenge of Articulation by six lengths.

Leonard Whitmore trains the winner at his Wexford yard for his fellow county man Jonathan Redmond. He said: 'He's a very consistent horse and has never been out of the money in his last 12 runs. He was balloted out of the Galway Hurdle on Thursday, but we got compensation here this afternoon.'

The consistent Tai Lass justified good support when scoring a well deserved success Cork Internationals Airport Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

With local trainer Paul Gilligan's team on fire, this mare carried plenty of home support and the 4/1 favourite didn't let the side down when coming with a sustained effort in the hands of Denis O'Regan to see off Green Mile by a length and a half.

Craughwell-based Gilligan, who was posting his second winner of the week, remarked: 'This is a right little mare. She's not over big, but she's all guts. We have her in a valuable race in Sligo on Wednesday and we might strike while the iron is hot.'

There was even better to follow for hard-working Gilligan as he completed his first Festival double when Life For Rent carried Mikey O'Connor to a facile success in the concluding Montrose Hotel (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

O'Connor eased the Hurl N' Ball Syndicate-owned seven-year-old to the front at the furlong pole and the pair never looked in the slightest danger as they galloped to a three length success over Logans Run.

'I can't believe it,' said Gilligan, continuing, 'It's been an unreal week for me and my horses are just jumping out of their skin at the moment. I like to try and win another bumper with this fellow. He's a good horse and will go jumping in time.'

Paul Nolan rarely leaves the Galway Festival without a winner and the Wexford trainer's turn arrived when his Ardalan ran out a comprehensive winner of the three-mile Tara Towers Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

Paddy Flood did the steering on the son of Sinndar, who quickened up reading the closing stages to defeat Zaffaran Star by eight lengths.

'I was giving out about the 14Ib penalty he picked up for winning at Down Royal last time, but I have to say now it was justified. I'll enter him in the better races as he's a small horse and will be better suited by carrying a light weight,' revealed a delighted Nolan.

Miss Una appreciated the ease in the ground when carrying Declan McDonogh to a smooth success in the seven-furlong Parknasilla Hotel Handicap.

Disappointing at Tipperary last time, the Spectrum-sired filly burst clear a furlong down and galloped on with purpose to see off Hampshire by half a length.

Navan handler Pat Martin, who has care of the winner for owner Bernard Caldwell, stated: 'I was delighted to see the rain coming as she needs a good dig in the ground. She ran too free last time, but Declan (McDonogh) said he was happy enough all the way today. We'll try her on the all-weather at Dundalk when it opens later this month.'

Tote Turnover ?605,447 (2007) ?650,344 (2006)

Bookmakers Turnover ?1,638,611 (2007) ?1,986,543 (2006)