Baraweez (Donnacha O'Brien) takes the Sunday feature for the second successive year© Photo Healy Racing
It was a case of déjà vu in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Ahonoora' Handicap in front of 12,696 spectators on the concluding day of the Galway Festival as Baraweez repeated his success of 12 months ago.
Malton trainer Brian Ellison followed the same formulae as last year by running the Andrew Barnes-owned gelding in the Topaz Mile on Tuesday, although a foot injury following his second to Hint Of A Tint put his participation in serious doubt.
Thankfully the five-year-old pulled out sound this morning, and punters really latched onto the favourite backing him on track from 5/2 into 7/4.
Donnacha O'Brien tracked the leaders in this 100,000 euro seven-furlong event before mounting his challenge in the straight, and got up close home to score by a neck. Pintura held every chance to complete an English-trained 1-2, while there was a gap of nearly three lengths back to Beau Satchel in third.
Ellison said, "It is horses for courses. We've had a hard week with him. He'd a bruised foot and was lame all week but my staff have done a great job, and the vet here was also a great help.
"He only came sound this morning, and if the race was yesterday he wouldn't have run. The lad cantered him two furlongs this morning and he was fine afterwards.
"This course probably suits him because he travels well, although the ground was a bit soft for him today. He was very game, and the kid (Donnacha O'Brien) gave him a great ride.
"He'll come back for the race he won at Leopardstown in September, and back here again next year hopefully. We love coming here as they do a great job and everyone is so friendly."
