Top Man Martin scores Galway double

Martin Cullinane completed a rather unusual double at Galway today when Top Man Michael carried the Galway man's colours to win the Trappers Inn Handicap, scoring for trainer Noel Meade.

Cullinane, based “ten minutes from the track” and well known as a buyer and seller of racehorses, earlier trained a winner of his own when Georgie won the opener, and added another winner when Top Man Michael benefited from a light racing weight to score under Conor Hoban.

The son of Antonius Pius stayed on gamely up the straight for a four and a half lengths win over Ancient Sands

Afterwards trainer Meade stated “I really fancied Top Man Michael today and he did it really well. He was getting all the allowances, including Conor's five pounds claim and Sure Reef (6/4f) was going up so much in the weights.”

“Johnny Murtagh rode him at Roscommon two runs back and said he was a bit unlucky but that race has turned out very well. He stays really well and jumps great – he'll probably run in the three year old hurdle at Roscommon on Tuesday next.”