25/1 shot Reafadda takes the nightcap

Under pressure layers got some respite in the concluding Guinness (QR) Handicap when the John Ryan (first Galway Festival winner) owned and trained Reafadda (25/1) beat off 20/1 chance Shattered Dream

Pa King did the steering on Reafadda and he took the major honours in the two and a quarter miler as 14/1 chances Glibin and Galloping Gander completed the placings.

King was never far from the pace on the victorious Zagreb gelding and he hit the lead approaching the second last. He went on to prevail by three and a quarter lengths from the aforementioned Shattered Dream.

Ryan remarked: "He's a smashing horse. It was just disappointing that he was placed so many times in maiden hurdles but it was behind good horses. In fairness to him he took his chance today though.

"He's a good solid type and he'll make a serious chaser as he's a wonderful leaper. He'll go at that job now."

Pa King said: "That's my first winner at the Galway Festival and it's savage. I got a nice run round the inside on him the whole way.

"He had the form in the book and I won a bumper on his first time out at Clonmel." (TW & EM)