Shanahan's gets his Turn in Plate

Shanahan's Turn returned to form with a vengeance to take the €220,000 Tote-sponsored Galway Plate for Henry de Bromhead and Jonathan Burke.

The seven-year-old gelding, who lost his way after taking a Grade 2 at Punchestown last November, was prominent throughout and set sail for home three out. Rule The World was closing in second place when stumbling and slipping up between the two fences in the dip.

The 16/1 winner kept on well under pressure on the run-in for Burke to beat The Paparrazi Kid by five and a half lengths. Sadler's Risk completed a 1-3 for de Bromhead when just a half-length back, with Alderwood another head away in fourth.

The 7/2 favourite Alelchi Inois could only keep on one paced in sixth. Unfortunately both Make A Track and Foildubh were both put down after falls, while the latter's rider Ryan Treacy was taken to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone.

De Bromhead said, "It was a super ride from Jonny. The horse was deadly, and jumped brilliant the whole way. I hoped if he came back to his autumn form that he had a squeak but he was disappointing recently. I'm delighted for Alan and Ann Potts€™. Ann is in hospital at the moment so this will be a good tonic for her.

"My father (Harry) was just touched off in a Plate many years ago with Bishops Hall so it’s good to put the record straight. I always felt he was a graded horse. He won his Grade 2, it probably wasn't the greatest Grade 2 but he won it. Then he hit soft ground and we made a couple of mistakes with him. We know him now.

"€œHe could go for the race Europe won the last few years at Gowran and hopefully he can develop into a Grade 1 horse. €œIt was brave of Jonny to do that and let him roll. I was delighted when I saw him do it, win, lose or draw. The jockeys tell me what they are thinking before the race and unless I completely disagree with them I let them off as they are top riders.

"€œI was delighted with Sadler's Risk. He stayed on really well and Andrew gave him a great ride. That was his first handicap and it was some run. His jumping early was a bit novicey. We're a little tied with him as he doesn't go left-handed so the Kerry National is out but there are plenty more good races."

Burke said, “It brings back fond memories of when my father (Liam) won this (with Sir Frederick) back in 2007. Galway has been very good to us down the years but this is brilliant. “Dad has been a massive mentor to me. As well as a father he’s been a coach. Along with my sister Amy, they have always been there for me. “I was claiming 5lb this time last year. I got this great job (for Alan and Ann Potts) last September and it’s given me the chance to ride some wonderful horses. I’m very grateful to them.”

Davy Russell, rider of Rule The World, explained his exit saying, “I was a bit unlucky. Jonny’s horse just missed the second last and my horse winged it. I just caught his heel going to the last. I’d loads of horse and hadn’t played my cards. “I’ve known Jonny since he was a child, and I’m delighted for him.â

€ (GC & AM)