Truckers makes no mistake this time around

The feature race on the final day of the Galway Festival, the Connacht Tribune Handicap Chase went to the 3/1 favourite Truckers Delight for his trainer John Hanlon and his jockey Conor O'Farrell.

Having won around the course before and after claiming a valuable Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, the 10yo was well fancied to win here on Tuesday, however after travelling well approaching the last a bad mistake there put pay to his chances, as he eventually finished fourth.

He was again well fancied to deliver today as he was sent off the 3/1 favourite and this time around he made no mistake.

Off a strong pace, he settled well behind the leaders. He then made good headway from before the second last. He went second after the last with Norther Bay a few lengths in front, however he reeled him in, on the run-in as he stayed on well to score by five and a half lengths at the line.

Norther Bay plugged on to take second at 11/1 for Eoin Griffin and Barry Geraghty with Scotsirish running another cracker (after finishing fifth in the Galway Plate) with his top weight of 11-10 finishing a further four lengths back in third at 11/2.

Winning trainer John Hanlon said afterwards: "Thank God for that after the week we have had. He always pulls it out of the fire for us.

"He is a real Festival meeting horse. He was unlucky on Tuesday.

"I am so delighted to have at least a winner as I thought I was going to have a good week.

"I thought he would win twice but he was unlucky the first day."

Donal Murphy