Lizzies Champ takes honours for Kelly

Lizzies Champ s strong finish brought home the goods in the extended three mile handicap hurdle at Galway.

He was hard at work in third before the last but stayed on stoutly for Davy Russell to power home down the outside and pick off Don't Kick Nor Bite.

This was a local winner for Galway trainer Pat Kelly and he was returned the 11/4 favourite.

Don't Kick Nor Bite was a length and quarter away in second at 20/1. Major Destination (7/1) and The White Volcano (9/1) took third and fourth respectively.

Davy Russell said: “Pat is very good and I was a little unlucky on one of his earlier in the week so it’s great to make up for it there.

"He travelled well and you need to be tough up the hill. JP’s mare (Don't Kick Nor Bite) battled well and made a good race of it.”

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. L. Walsh, that D.J. McInerney, rider of sixth-placed Na Trachtalai Abu had weighed in at 1.4lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had no difficulty doing the correct weight but had a drink to rehydrate after weighing out. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D.J. McInerney was in breach of Rule 231 by weighing in at more than 1lb above the correct weight. Having taken into consideration his previous record within the last twelve months, the Stewards suspended D.J. McInerney for three race days.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee