Champella and Darragh O'Keeffe© Photo Healy Racing
Having won the previous race on the card with Talk In The Park Ross O'Sullivan and Darragh O'Keeffe recorded a quick double when Champella proved best in the Tote Where's Danny Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle at Galway.
Dropping back to the minimum trip for the first time over hurdles, the former Down Royal bumper winner made her stamina count in the closing stages of a strongly run race.
As per usual, Minx Tiara took them along in front at a decent gallop. Jake Coen chased the leader in second on Miss Fourie while O'Keeffe was never too far off the pace in the first six or seven.
On the run to two out, a number of horses looked to have chances. Minx Tiara was just beginning to weaken but as Miss Fourie took over, Enfranchise and Champella emerged looking serious dangers. Enfranchise was the first of that group to weaken, as O'Keeffe came round the outer to challenge.
A slight mistake at the final flight did little to halt momentum, as Champella led early on the run-in, before asserting to kick clear for a comfortable two length win.
That victory meant that Kildare based trainer O'Sullivan has now been successful with his last four runners.
Ross O’Sullivan: “The lads were keen to have a runner. She won three races and then had an injury, and we were coming here more so with a runner than mad fancied.
“She stayed well up the hill. She was flat out everywhere and is a very tough filly.
“Tom Harney couldn’t do the weight, 10st7lb and then claim 7lb, and it was a great ride by Darragh. Tom has won all the time on her and you feel sorry for him.
“To be here on Galway Plate day and have a double, it’s magic! It’s great for the yard and what more can you say.
“The (Sarsfields Racing) Syndicate are great lads. They gave me my first ever horse, a point-to-pointer before we ever had a winner on the track. One of the lads I went to school with and they are mad into football in Newbridge.
“They owned my first point-to-point winner and have been with me ever since.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
