Whelan boots home a double on Whatcouldhavebeen

Whatcouldhavebeen brought up a double for Ronan Whelan in Galway when defying top weight of 10-1 in the second split of the mile and a half handicap that closed the card.

She was another winner to strike the front on the home bend before making the best way home.

The four-year-old filly was game in the closing stages as she drew five lengths clear. She was backed down from 7/1 to 5/1jf. Your Honor finished second at 12/1 and was ahead in front of Rockview Roman (7/1). Hello Power took fourth at 8/1.

"Ronan said she was a bit out of her depth early in the race and was further back than ideal but said she eventually got into the race nicely and stayed galloping to the line. He said the further he got to the line, the stronger she was getting," said trainer Jarlath Fahey.

"She had soft ground form around the track and stays very well.

"She got a six week break after her run at the festival here with a view to going hurdling and Laura Bennett got a spin on her in a charity race last week and left her right for today. She'll go hurdling next."

Whatcouldhavebeen is owned by Jarlath's wife Suzanne who sadly lost her father Paddy Kelly during the last week.

Whelan was also successful aboard Chally Chute in race six for Mick Halford.

With Colin Keane and Billy Lee level at the top of the jockeys' championship going into the next action at Dundalk on Wednesday, Paddy Power slashed Colin Keane to 1/5 from 4/9 and pushed Billy Lee out from 13/8 to 3/1. Keane had one winner in Ballybrit today to draw level.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes