Get In There and Harley Dunne chase Lough Ferrib over the last © Photo Healy Racing
Persistence paid off for Get In There as she ground out victory in the New Website thetote.com Handicap Hurdle at Galway. Lough Ferrib looked all over the winner when hitting the front two from home in the two-and-a-half mile contest.
Harley Dunne was at work after the penultimate flight on Get In There and looked booked for second turning for home.
The distress signals went out on Lough Ferrib going to the last, however, and he was chased down on the run-in.
The Sean Doyle trained mare got up for a three-parts-of-a-length victory.
Doyle, who trains near Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, was recording his first winner on the track since the same horse scored at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day in 2011.
"It's a bit of a surprise. We were happy with her coming here as she had a great run at Cork less than three weeks ago when she was a good third to Our Girl Lucy " said the trainer.
"She was in with the right weight today and we're over the moon. The jockey done everything I told him to do.
"You wouldn't be confident coming to Galway with your first runner. I was happy for her to be in the first four and the boys that are with me had a few quid each-way on. They'll be buying a few drinks tonight hopefully!
"That's her third win and she's owned by a syndicate in the local pub in Goresbridge. She only cost €2,000 and there are six lads involved.
"They gave me every chance with her. There have been a few bad days and thank god I'm able to reward them.
"We mainly have a point-to-point yard and have three for the track."
It was also a first festival success for 18-year-old Dunne and just a third career victory for the 7lb claimer:-
"We got stopped at the start as they all closed me off on the rail. It probably worked out for the best.
"She was a bit on her head but stayed battling away and is a very tough little mare.
"I thought I was in with a shout at the last but didn't think I'd get to Russell. I didn't think she would stick her head out and battle like that." Beau Michael was sent off 4/1 favourite. Barry Geraghty kept him wide in search of better ground but his mount came under pressure going out on the final circuit and was eventually pulled up before the second last.
