Eagle’s Pass followed up on his win at Killarney on Wednesday as him claimed the feature race at Galway this afternoon, the Guinness Handicap Chase for his trainer Thomond O’Mara with Paul Townend aboard.

The versatile 9yo son of Brave Act was recording his tenth career win today, having won four on the level, three over hurdles and now three over fences.

Having failed to win all last season he has bounced back to form this year and was recording his third win of 2011.

The winning 10/3 favourite raced towards the rear early on before closing to track the leaders three out. He then went second when travelling well after the last and was ridden into straight from there before leading and staying on best in the closing stages. Holly Tree on his first start for trainer Philip Byrne ran a cracker to finish three and a half lengths second at 16/1 with Denis Hogan aboard, while Stakers finished two lengths back in third at 10/1.

Winning rider Paul Townend said afterwards: “He didn’t travel as well as he did in Killarney, but he began to travel down in the dip. He is a great jumper and jumping got him into it. He is careful to jump but he doesn’t lose any time in the air."

Donal Murphy