Perugino Diamond, winner of the Galway Hurdle earlier this month, successfully reverted to the Flat to land the featured Noel M Griffin Memorial QR Handicap as the four-day Tramore Festival meeting drew to a close yesterday afternoon.
The four-year-old gelding was driven to the front over a furlong out by Pat Colville and was eased down in the closing stages to beat Aboriginal by four and a half lengths.
'Galway took nothing out of him and he will be aimed at the Guinness Gold Cup at Tralee next Wednesday,' said permit-holder Seamus O`Farrell.
Barry Geraghty completed a double when partnering the opening two maiden hurdle winners, Sockittothem and Kate Emily. Eddie Ahern was left red-faced after Sharavogue Cookie was headed in the final stride by Mutakarrim in the Commercial Refrigeration Maiden. The Charlie Swantrained filly held a clear advantage throughout but was caught on the line, with Ahern, riding out with hands and heels, apparently not sensing the danger.
