Mala Beach and Robbie Colgan are clear at the last© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle proved a real triumph for Gordon Elliott with the impressive Mala Beach leading home a 1-2 for the trainer.
The 100/30 victor and the front-running Un Beau Matin had the race between in the straight, with Robbie Colgan sending Mala Beach on after two out.
The Beneficial gelding went right away on the run-in to score by eight lengths, with a gap of 11 lengths back to Jetson in third. Zaidpour proved a bitter disappointment with Ruby Walsh sending out distress signals a mile out, and the 1/2 favourite faded to finish sixth.
Elliott said, “He’s a nice horse. It was a messy race at Leopardstown where they went no gallop and it played into Zaidpour’s hands.
“He’s in the World Hurdle but it would have to be very soft for him to run. Really it’s all about next year for him as he’s a big three-mile chaser in the making.”
Elliott also said of Un Beau Matin, “He ran a great race and lost nothing in defeat. Finishing second was a good result for him.”
Paddy Power cut Mala Beach from 33/1 into 20/1 for the World Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
