Double for O'Brien as Gunner wins on debut

Newcomer The Gunner Murphy completed a double at Galway for Joseph O'Brien, as he took the Jamie Kyne Memorial Flat Race.

The four-year-old son of Oscar was well-supported earlier in the day, but touched 5s on-course, before going off a 9/2 chance under Derek O'Connor.

Settled behind the leaders by O'Connor, he improved to lead on the approach to the straight. He drifted towards the stands side rail inside the final furlong, and found plenty under pressure, going on to score by half a length.

The 15/8 favourite (from 5/2) First Approach attempted to chase down the winner in the closing stages, but he ultimately had to settle for second under Nina Carberry for Noel Meade. Stooshie (11/4) completed the placings another eighth lengths back in third with Jamie Codd in the saddle for Gordon Elliott.

The winning rider said afterwards: "He is a very nice horse. I hadn't sat on him before today but we were very concerned about the ground because it is quite testing.

"It was a good performance from a horse first time out to handle the conditions as he did and he showed a good bit of speed in the finish. I think he's very nice."

Joseph O'Brien was earlier on the mark with Persistent

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards fined Peter Fahey, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Ididitmyway in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes