Sure Reef produced a fine front-running performance to run out an impressive winner of the mile-and-a-half handicap at Galway.

Shane Foley soon hit the front on the 11/2 shot and he sprinted away from his rivals in the closing stages.

The Choisir colt pulled away down the straight to record a three-and-three-quarter length success over 11/4 favourite Encrypted Message

The winner was folllowing up having made the breakthrough at Killarney almost two weeks ago.

“We finally got his trip right. He's been a big baby,” said trainer Michael Halford.

“The plan was to be handy. Shane did well to jump out. We were a bit worried about the ground but he handled it.

“He's improving with every run and is a lovely big honest horse.

“Shane is riding out of his skin at the moment and there is no better man to have on your side. He wasn't afraid to make the running and knows what he's at.

“He stays well for a Choisir. We always thought he had a bit of pace but his dam won over 1m6f. We might stick him in again on Sunday. We'll see how he is. We don't want to be too greedy.”