Galway Festival: P'tit Fute made amends for a disappointing run on the opening day of the Galway Festival with victory at Ballybrit today.
Francis Flood's charge was only 12th in the GPT Handicap on the level on Monday but he fared much better in the Freshways Handicap Hurdle.
Clear at the last flight, the 9-1 chance maintained his advantage on the run-in to hold the challenge of Bahrain Storm by two-and-a-half lengths.
Window Of Hope took third while Friday night's winner Truckers Delight looked set for a place until finding it all too much after the last and eventually finishing fifth.
Flood's son Fran said: "He was a bit disappointing on Monday but the ground was more suitable today.
"He stays really well. Things went right today, he got a great split between horses at the second-last."
George Stanley missed seeing the biggest win of his training career as Ballito claimed top honours in an eventful Low Low Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.
The Fairyhouse handler is currently in Spain for his son's wedding which meant he was not on hand to see his only inmate prevail at odds of 25-1.
The two-mile-six-furlong heat saw plenty of casualties, including favourite Reisk Superman who was stalking the field under Ruby Walsh but unseated his rider when looking almost certain to take a hand in the finish.
Ballito took it up before the turn for home and kept on admirably for Mark Bolger to run out a four-length winner over One More Minute.
Bolger said: "They were dropping all around me but I got a clear run. It probably suited my horse.
"There were a lot of loose horses around, I was looking around at the third-last and I was the only one who was travelling - he even got there a little bit too soon for me."
Thecreditcrunchie (100-30) dug deep to lift the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Premier Nursery for trainer Tommy Stack.
Wayne Lordan's mount came with a strong flourish inside the distance and found just enough to repel the equally fast-finishing Rory Anna by a head.
"The logical plan now is go for the nursery at the Tralee festival later this month," said Fozzy Stack, son and assistant of the winning trainer.
"This is a nice prize to win. He was moving up in class but he stepped up to the plate and he's a tough horse."
Noel Meade is expecting Gay Sloane (11-4) to improve after a thoroughly convincing success in the Jockeys Association Maiden Hurdle.
Niall Madden's mount was sent off a well-supported 11-4 chance and the market confidence was justified as he coasted home five lengths clear of market leader
Noble Crusader.
Meade said: "This horse and Go Native were my two bankers for the week so when Go Native got beat on Wednesday, we were pinning our hopes on this one.
"I think he's a smart horse and we'll probably go for a novice race with him next."
A day at the festival rarely goes by without a win for Dermot Weld and the master of Rosewell House bagged his ninth success of the week when newcomer Rite Of Passage (9-4 favourite) took the Kerrymaid Festival INH Flat Race.
Weld said: "Robbie (McNamara) rode him with hands and heels, which I love to see. He'll go for a winner's race next and is a horse with a very bright future."
Galway Results
2.30 Jockeys Association Maiden Hurdle
1st Gay Sloane (IRE) 11/4
2nd Noble Crusader (USA) 6/4 F
3rd The Rall (IRE) 7/1
4th Ryan's Academy (IRE) 16/1
3.00 Low Low Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase
1st Ballito (IRE) 25/1
2nd One More Minute (IRE) 11/2
3rd Tamayo (IRE) 15/2
4th Mighty John McGee (IRE) 14/1
3.35 Freshways Handicap Hurdle
1st P'tit Fute (FR) 9/1
2nd Bahrain Storm (IRE) 7/1
3rd Window Of Hope (IRE) 12/1
4th Corrick Bridge (IRE) 8/1
4.05 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery
1st Thecreditcrunchie (IRE) 100/30 F
2nd Rory Anna (IRE) 16/1
3rd Gluteus Maximus (IRE) 9/2
4th Tosach Nua (IRE) 8/1
4.35 Cheestrings Handicap
1st Hill Fairy (GB) 14/1
2nd Sesenta (IRE) 20/1
3rd Sagarich (FR) 16/1
4th Captain Hook (GB) 16/1
5.05 Dawn Juice EBF Maiden
1st Indian Ocean (IRE) 4/1
2nd Dark Humour (IRE) 8/11 F
3rd Alyazwa (GB) 9/2
4th Mariydi (IRE) 6/1
5.35 Kerrymaid Festival INH Flat Race
1st Rite Of Passage (GB) 9/4 F
2nd Waterloo Chateau (IRE) 7/1
3rd City Meaning (USA) 7/2
4th Gallery Man (IRE) 25/1