Weld doubles up to equal Galway record

Dermot Weld wrapped up another superb Galway when equaling his best ever total of ten with a double at the Ballybrit course today.

The Rosewell House trainer reached double figures courtesy of Gold Chaser (9/4 joint favourite) in the £55,000 Eircell All @ Once Handicap and Kilcrea Shyan (11/8 favourite) in the concluding Vodafone Eurocall Flat Race.

Jockey Gordon Power excelled with his handling of Gold Chaser to claim the seven furlong contest. Power swooped at the furlong marker to collar Jack's Estate and go away for a three-and-a-half length victory.

Weld was full of praise for the apprentice afterwards. 'He gave him a peach of a ride, that's only the second ride he has had for me.'

'The horse is very consistent and loves this soft ground. It was good that the main opposition was out - (John Oxx's Give A Whistle) and that made a big difference.'

Kilcrea Shyan completed the hall when an easy winner of the bumper under Kevin O'Ryan.

The gelding moved sweetly into the lead at the three furlong marker and didn't have to be asked any serious questions to beat The Linen Hall by three-and-a-half lengths.

Talking after the race Weld was delighted that he had for the fourth time taken ten winners from the week.

'It was hard going. It gets tougher every year. The standard is so high now and you need better horses to win races here.'

Kilcrea Shyan was an unlucky third here on Monday night and Weld reported that the plan had been to win then and come back today for a maiden hurdle.

'He will either be sold now or go for a maiden hurdle,' revealed Weld.

Pat Hughes had earlier capped his best ever festival when 7/4 favourite Rapid Deployment claimed the first division of the £30,000 High Speed Data Handicap Hurdle.

Hughes took his tally to six for the week after Charlie Swan gave the British import a strong drive to hold off the persistent challenge ofThat's The Story in the 2m 2f contest.

'Charlie got us out of jail there,' said Hughes.

'He could go to Tralee or Listowel now. I don't think he likes soft ground though.'

The second division of the contest went to Val O'Brien's U Jump I Jump (5/1). The field cut up for the race after eight failed to meet the starter.

U Jump I Jump was always handy and had a clear advantage with a circuit to run. He was briefly headed over the second last as Largy Line threw down a challenge but soon saw off that rival and found plenty for Conor O'Dwyer in the straight to beat Forest Festival by two-and-a-half lengths.

'I thought he would need the run,' admitted O'Brien afterwards.

'He got badly cut at Roscommon and his last run and missed three weeks work.'

Aquila Oculus recorded her second victory of the week, following success over a mile and a half on Monday, when running out an impressive winner of the Western Cellular Rated Race.

The filly was always handy under Seamus Heffernan and had a clear lead from halfway. She was headed briefly three furlongs out but asserted in the straight to record a seven length victory over fellow 5/2 joint favourite Murrayfield.

Jack Duggan was greeted with joyous scenes in the winners enclosure after his victory in the Eircell Info Services Maiden Hurdle.

The members of the Wild Colonial Boys syndicate from Kerry were in full voice after the Edward O'Grady-trained gelding took up the running going to the last and stretched clear for a comfortable seven length victory over Catch The Dragon.

Maiden Over (14/1) stayed on from the back to just get up in the shadows of the post to land the Ready To Go Beginners Chase.

Last with a circuit to go in the 2m 6f contest, Conor O'Dwyer revealed that the mare was 'flat out the whole way' as she worked her way through the field to deny Sketrick by a head after a titanic tussle in the straight.

Joe Casey picked up a two day ban (August 14th & 15th) for excessive use of the whip on Sketrick.

Hadath (20/1) sprang something of a surprise when swooping inside the final 100 yards to take the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Handicap for jockey Pat Shanahan and trainer Robert John Osborne.