Slow start/fast finish for a Total Demolition

A flag start following a stalls malfunction may have proved a blessing in disguise for Total Demolition as the gelding justified some support at 10/1 in the Hop House 13 Handicap at Galway.

Available at 16/1 this morning and further backed on track from 12/1 into 10/1, the four-year-old was far from quick away in the flag start but finished with a real flourish in the straight.

John Larkin ’s charge, slowly away when tenth of 18 behind Millefiori here yesterday, passed most of the 15-runner field in the final quarter mile and stormed home on the outer under Conor Hoban to beat Marshall Jennings by three quarters of a length.

Top-weight Dream Walker was a half-length further away in third.

Larkin said, “I laughed when the stalls broke as he’s like an old woman out of them. He was drawn 18 of 18 yesterday and was very slowly away so his race was over before it even started.

“This was the race I really wanted to go for but he was 19 in the ballot and I couldn’t believe he got in. He’s won three now this year which is great. He could run again here on Saturday.

“I have ten riding out at the moment which is a lot less than I normally would have, and I’d love to have a few more.”