Sweeps Hill takes the feature in style

The feature race at Galway this afternoon, the Grade 3 Faber Audiovisuals Ballybrit Novice Chase, went to the John Kiely trained Sweeps Hill who was ridden to victory by David Casey.

The 7yo son of Montjeu (also sired earlier winner Capellanus , was having his fifth start over fences today.

He won his beginners chase over 2m 4f at Punchestown in May on the third time of asking beating Mr Nosie by a length.

On his last start he finished second behind Fort George in a 2m 6f contest at Killarney in July when sent off the 6/4 favourite.

Three of his five wins before today had come on soft ground, four of which were over 2m, so today's step back in trip to 2m 1f and the ground conditions of heavy played into his hands.

Regal D'Estruval (9/2) for double seeking Jim Culloty and Tom Doyle attempted to make all and jumped the last in the lead. However Sweeps Hill travelled up alongside him on the run-in, hitting the front a furlong out before going clear to score by a comfortable five and a half lengths.

Winning trainer John Kiely, who won this race last year with Head Of The Posse, said afterwards: "He has been a little bit disappointing up to now. I’d say the ground was a bit loose today and not too deep which probably helped him.

"He put in a lovely round of jumping today."

Afterwards Davy Russell, rider of the 7/4 favourite Westmeath reported to the Stewards that his mount got very tired on the heavy ground and after being examined by the vet he was found to be blowing hard post race.