Gamble landed on Max Time at Ballybrit

From 50/1 in the morning, Max Time s price tumbled down to 17/2 on the off for Division 2 of the Galway Handicap Hurdle and he did the business by five and a-half lengths for local trainer Iggy Madden. Hees Dynamite traded very short in-running for this race as he was nicely clear after two out and attempted to set sail for home.

Max Time improved from third to second approaching the home bend and really reduced the gap by the final hurdle, though.

The pursuer was ridden to the front 150 yards out by Shane Fitzgerald and drew clear of a tiring Hees Dynamite (18/1).

Each-way players received a return from Lets Do This (11/1) in third and Ballagh Star (5/1) in fourth.

Madden said: "We had to give him a few schools as it was his first run back and I knew he'd run well. I hate telling people to back my horses as when they run badly, you get this rubbish about 'he's no good, that horse'.

"A lot of fellas seemed to be in a hurry today; where did the money go - 33/1!? Who was gambling him? - it wasn't me."

When asked had Max Time worked with stablemate and summer festival winner Brave Crogha, he unwaveringly replied "he did", before expanding "maybe that could be the reason!".

Regarding previously mooted retirement plans from training, he added: "I'm not telling anyone any more about that, people are picking me up the wrong way."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes