Beau a popular winner to start Ladies Day

The Mee family had their fourth winner of Galway 2018 when Minella Beau justified heavy market support to land the Guinness Beginners Chase for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

A point-to-point winner in his time for John Nallen and Colin Bowe, Minella Beau was backed from around 5/2 this morning into 6/4 favouritism, and he was assured for a first-timer to racecourse fences.

Victorious in a maiden hurdle at the festival last year, Minella Beau was lifted home by Walsh to upstage Caltex by three and a quarter lengths. The latter had looked a winner when sent for home from before the straight.

"They went a really good gallop and I was struggling for the first circuit. I was only happy when I got back to the stands," said Walsh.

"He jumped really well for a first timer and found plenty off the bend to the line.

"He won a maiden hurdle here last year so it's horses for courses. It was a good performance.

"He got quite revved last year after running in bumpers and was quite keen here in a maiden hurdle which was a surprise to us because he's not a quick horse. He's much more relaxed now."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ah Littleluck trained by Thomas Gibney, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

(GC & EM)