Star Links beats Maal, Truly Genius and Senor George at Galway© Photo Healy Racing
Owner Gerry Dolan (a publican in London – the Westminster Arms) and trainer Shane Donohoe have enjoyed a few days to remember and after Last Minute Lisa's (20/1) win at Gowran on Wednesday they were on the mark again with Star Links (14/1) at Galway.
Chris Hayes was on Last Minute Lisa but it was Ronan Whelan that had the leg-up on Star Links for the Maggie May's Handicap.
He mightn't be too keen about going in the stalls and indeed if you'd made an investment on the victorious seven-year-old you'd have had your doubts from after the halfway stage as he was being niggled along.
However as he's shown before and at Ballinrobe last time when runner-up, Star Links certainly finds for pressure and in the end he saw off Maal by a length and a half.
Donohue, who of course enjoyed a big day with Shantarini at this course in the GPT back in 1998, reflected: "He's been a good old servant and my horses are in good form. The young lad gets on well with this fella.
"He'll go to Listowel now. That's him – he wins a couple every year. He's a reliable auld lad." (DM & EM)
