Big Island and Danny Mullins © Photo Healy Racing
The Billy Lanigan-trained Big Island powered clear on the run-in to land the spoils in the angloprinters.ie Handicap Hurdle at Galway.
Danny Mullins led early on the 6/1 shot before Veneziano Springs took over going out on the final circuit.
Big Island travelled well to regain the lead turning for home in the two-miler and went clear when asked for his effort on the run-in to post a five-and-a-half length win.
The well-backed favourite Platinumcard (7/1 into 3/1) finished off well to grab second.
The winner had been successful twice on the Flat for John Feane, including here last October, and was opening his account over timber today.
He was welcomed back into the winners' enclosure by a large contingent of the Hogans Pub Coolrain Syndicate, from Co. Laois.
Lanigan said:- “We didn’t have him when he won on the Flat here last year but it was good to know he handled the track.
“The bit of ease in the ground was a help to him and he’s a nice horse going forward.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
