The first of Dermot Weld’s winners at this year’s Galway Festival came in the mile and a half handicap with 3/1 second favourite Timiyan

The ‘King of Ballybrit’ had to wait until race six on the first day, but the three year-old gelding did him proud on his first attempt in handicap company. Resiliency is a well-named horse as he made it a true test from the front. Annus Mirabilis who had tracked him in second, soon cracked when off the bridle under half a mile out. Timiyan though picked up the chase and edged ahead on the home straight. He was ridden out by Pat Smullen to score by five lengths.

Dermot Weld said: “He’s a nice staying horse. They went a cracking gallop all the way and he got a great ride from Pat. The step up in trip helped and being gelded helped too. He’s a late-maturing horse who appreciated the better ground. The mile and a half suits him well.

“The ground is a bit quicker than I anticipated. It’s beautiful quick ground, but it is getting a bit quick for the jumps boys.

“Grecian Tiger was beaten by a better horse (Quick Jack) and the two-year-old (Postulation) was probably beaten by a very good horse (Jamaica) who is probably Group company and he isn’t Group company.”

Timiyan had been unplaced in three maiden races, the furthest of which came over a mile and one.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes