GALAVOTTI, partnered by Paul Carberry, landed an incident packed Lombard and Ulster Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel last evening to complete a 21 to 1 mixed double for Noel Meade.
After Gullig Lady fell at the first, the well supported favourite, Crucial Move, came to grief at the second flight and brought down Spanish Castle. Then Big Storm, showing a reluctance to take part, veered violently damaging the wing of the second hurdle in the process.
As a result the hurdle was omitted in the closing stages helping Galavotti to keep up the relentless gallop and hold the fast finishing Scouts Honour by a head Earlier John Murtagh partnered favourite Fontaine Fables to a comfortable one and a half length success in the Templemore Maiden. "He would prefer easier ground and a good galloping track. That's four wins for him now and he shows plenty of speed and works well at home," said Meade.
Carberry went on to record a double when he partnered the Sean Treacy trained Kates Choice, scoring by three lengths in the Sportsmans Handicap Hurdle after easing his mount down in the closing stages. Paddy Mullins visited the winners enclosure after the June Handicap when Noreaster, under Pat Smullen, held the renewed challenge of front running Cois Na Farrige by a neck.
"That's the ground she wants (good to firm) and I'll try and get a hurdle race for her," said Mullins.
British champion Tony McCoy was badly shaken after his mount, Dorans Way, crashed at the second last when challenging in the Dungarven Beginners Chase.
Victory went to the Martin Brassil trained favourite Nordic Thorn who edged clear from the penultimate fence to score by two lengths under Kevin O'Brien.
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