Ansar became the first horse since Knight Errant in the late 1950s to win the two big jump races at the Galway Festival by adding today´s Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate to his Galway Hurdle win of three years ago.
David Casey had the eight-year-old gelding (10-1) close up on the inner throughout and struck the front after the last before holding on gamely on the long run-in to beat gallant top-weight Risk Accessor by a length.
Manjoe was also prominent for all the two and three-quarter miles before finishing half a length further back in third, while successful trainer Dermot Weld also saddled Direct Bearing to stay on strongly for fourth.
'Ansar was a bit novicey when fifth in this race last year, and he has been trained since with this race in mind,' said Weld, recording his third Plate win after Kiichi (1990) and General Idea (´93). 'David went the long way round on him last year and I wasn´t too happy. He asked me for the ride again on Irish Derby day and I said of course, but this time you will go the short way round. He rode a brilliant race.'
Weld was also thrilled by the performance of Direct Bearing, adding: 'He was a bit novicey, like Ansar was last year, but he stays really well and there could be a Grand National in him.'
The Plate was the highlight of a superb four-timer for Weld, whose Rich Sense (7-4) completed a hat-trick in the 12-furlong HP Ireland Handicap.
Rich Sense, who led over two furlongs out, responded gamely when challenged by the flattering Moratorium in the straight to win by a neck.
'That was a good, positive ride by Pat (Smullen) on a genuine, tough filly. She is entered for a mile-and-a-half Listed race at Cork on Monday, but we will see how she comes out of this first,' said the Rosewell House trainer.
He also took the HP Software Management Services Maiden with Orpington (evens) and the concluding HP Indigo Impressions Maiden with Spirit Of Age (1-6).
Niall Madden needed to work hard on Orpington, eventually drawing clear on the well-backed favourite in the closing stages to beat Delgany Toulon by three lengths.
Sylvester Kirk made the trip over from Lambourn worthwhile when General Feeling (10-1) recorded a dramatic victory in the HP Software Publishing Services Handicap.
The gelding was last after halfway in this seven-furlong event for three-year-olds, but fairly sprinted when brought wide by Padraig Beggy for a run off the home bend, finishing with such effect that he scored by three and a half lengths from Premier Prospect.
'He couldn´t go the pace early on but Padraig didn´t panic and gave him a nice ride,' said Kirk, originally from near Strabane in Northern Ireland.
Rockstown Boy was the toast of punters when landing a gamble here in Monday evening´s feature, but the six-year-old was unable to justify odds of 1-3 when reverting to hurdles in the opening HP Financial Services Hurdle.
Davy Russell´s mount held every chance at the last but could find no extra on the run-in as Indemnity (10-1) quickened up to score by two lengths.
Russell and trainer Charles Byrnes suffered another reverse in the following HP Imaging & Digital Printing Handicap Hurdle when easy-to-back 5-1 joint-favourite Cloudy Bays was found to be lame after trailing in 11th behind Burren Moonshine (12-1).
The latter jumped to the front at the last for Robert Power to beat top-weight Galtee View by two and a half lengths, and trainer Donie Hassett commented:
'They went a ridiculous gallop, but it suited our mare and she´s improving all the time. I´m delighted for her owner-breeder Gay O´Gara, who is a neighbour and good friend of mine. She will go chasing in time.'
