Gutsy Grimes wins Compaq Galway Plate

There was no doubting that Grimes had the talent to win the Compaq Galway Plate but it was pure guts and determination which proved the decisive factor in the #100,000 contest today.

The former top-class hurdler hadn`t shown the same level of form over fences in previous attempts but the notion that he could prove a handicap snip judged on his hurdling form if things went his way proved deadly accurate.

Racing off only 10st 1lb the former winner of the Shell Champion Hurdle at Punchestown was a drifter on course (5/2 two 4/1J/F) but belied the lack of confidence from the punters by lifting the showpiece of summer jump racing.

Settled just off the pace by Conor O`Dwyer, Grimes travelled sweetly throughout as Dovaly cut out the running - closely pursued by Quinze.

The action reached boiling point as they approached the second last and Grimes was sent to the front. He was briefly headed by Quinze over the final fence but soon regained the advantage.

Quinze refused to lie down, however, and as they turned for home he led the attack as Francis Bay and the game Dovaly chased. Francis Bay flattered to deceive as he faded inside the final furlong and it was left to the admirable Quinze to push Grimes all the way to the line.

However, he couldn`t match the winner going down by a length-and-a-half with Dovaly staying on again for third with Francis Bay finishing fourth.

'All credit to Frank Berry, who said last Christmas that Grimes could win a race like this, off that kind of rating,' said the delighted winning trainer Christy Roche afterwards.

The trainer has left the winner in the Galway Hurdle tomorrow and revealed that, 'all being well,' he will try to achieve a historic double.

Owner JP McManus was also hopeful that they could have shot at the double tomorrow:

'We always knew that if he reproduced his hurdles form he would run a big race. Hopefully we can go for the double tomorrow but I`ll leave that decisionto Christy.'

McManus had also visited the winner`s enclosure earlier when the Aidan O`Brien trained Darapour triumphed in the opener.

Darapour is without doubt one of the lesser lights of the Ballydoyle operation, but the gelding played the starring role in the Compaq Alphaserver SC Hurdle when comfortably justifying 4 to 9 favouritism.

Charlie Swan gave the seven-year-old a confident ride - tracking leader Vague Impression before letting his mount stride on after a superb jump at the fourth last had catapulted him into the lead.

The pair had the field struggling as they turned into the straight, on the bridle, but Swan had to shake his mount up after the last as Rough Gamble threw down a renewed challenge to get to within a length-and-a-half at the line.

Norman Williamson was seen to good effect aboard top-weight Best Grey in the Compaq Software Publishing Services Handicap Hurdle.

Edward O`Grady`s gelding took up the running approaching the secondlast and a good jump at that flight sent him two lengths clear but the son of Ezzoud didn`t help Williamson by hanging badly on the run to the corner.

The Cork jockey, however, straightened up his mount turning for home and the pair battled tenaciously to the line to hold off the challenge of Samasakhan by half a length.

O`Grady was full of praise for Williamson afterwards:

'Norman gave him a superb ride. It is a great confidence boost for him and shows what a good jockey he is.'

O`Grady added that the gelding, a 26,000gns purchase in France, could turn out again at the weekend depending on how he takes the race.

Barney Curley pulled off yet another gamble at Galway when Kalingalinga (7/4 to 5/4f) landed the Compaq Storage Products Handicap in some style.

The gelding left recent form well behind to cruise to victory. Jamie Spencer took up the running before the corner and spent most of the straight looking around for non-existent dangers.

'The horse doesn't be 100 per cent sound everyday and I would be a little bit worried about him in the morning,' said Curley.

'He was as green as grass and is not an easy horse to train. I thought he might have been feeling himself coming around the bend.'

Dermot Weld suffered a rare reverse at Ballybrit when 4 to 5 favourite Standing Applause could only finish third behind Knysna Lily in the Compaq iPAQ (QR) Maiden.

Jockey Kevin O'Ryan reported that the saddle had slipped on Weld's colt turning into the straight but he had looked beaten at that stage.

Weld had better luck in the following contest when One More Round claimed the Compaq Software Installation Services Maiden under Pat Smullen.

The American-bred colt brought Weld's tally to five for the week when he wore down Uliana in the last 100 yards to record a length-and-a-half victory.

Pat Hughes took his tally to three for the week when Gemini Guest asserted in the last 200yds to land theCompaq Software Acquisition Handicap under Fran Berry.

Michael Halford, successful with Class Society last night, doubled his Galway tally when Rashay swooped inside the final furlong to claim the Compaq Remarketing Handicap under John Egan.