Galway report: Chris Hayes gave his fledgling career a massive boost when recording only his second win, aboard Amourallis, in the 100,000 Michael McNamara and Co Builders Dublin and Galway Handicap at Ballybrit yesterday.
The 16-year-old, having only his 10th mount in public, showed great composure as he came from last to first on the Ger Lyons-trained filly.
"Chris gave him a great ride. I had never met him before today and he did well to come through the traffic. The secret to this filly is having no weight on her. She goes up 14lb tomorrow and with the lad's 10lb claim was effectively 24lb better off today."
Meanwhile, Calorando, the 4 to 9 favourite, made all the running in the Mercer Hotel Rated Race and Johnjoe's Express excelled under Barry Geraghty to land the Tara Towers Hotel Handicap Hurdle after returning from a six-week break.
Spanish John followed up his maiden hurdle win at Killarney when a landing the Corrib Village Handicap Hurdle. That win put trainer Pat Hughes on four for the week and also gave Jim Culloty the title for leading jump jockey at the festival.
