Zero Ten shows plenty on first start for Mullins

Zero Ten got first run on Exit Poll to take Galway's concluding bumper by a length and a half.

Derek O'Connor kept his mount up to his work as he closed out the race in the final furlong to win at 9/1.

Exit Poll had to be content with second at 6/1, He did draw six lengths clear of Neptune (11/2).

Trainer Emmet Mullins said: “He’s a lovely horse and did that the hard way as he didn’t give Derek much of a chance early on. He was very keen.

“Hopefully he’ll switch off and learn to race and he could be a nice horse for the future.

“I’d imagine he’ll go over hurdles now. He’s won a point-to-point and gave an exhibition of jumping that day.

“It’s his first run for me and three weeks ago I didn’t know if he’d make it here or not. I only turned the screw and he came alive straight away. I’d imagine he likes this type of ground.” Royal Rendezvous who was backed from 11/10 to 4/7f, could make no impression at the business end and came in fifth.

Aubrey McMahon, who won the featured qualified riders' handicap on Uradel saw his mount Batcio withdrawn after he bolted before the start.

The attendance on the opening day of the Galway Festival was 20,194, an increase of 531 on the corresponding day last year of 19,663.

Meanwhile, today's Tote aggregate of 802,719 euro was down over 8% on last year's 877,359 euro.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee