Low Sun sets on his rivals for dominant Mullins Low Sun brought up Willie Mullins' 11th success at the this year's Galway Festival with a game effort in the featured Grade B handicap hurdle. The five-year-old gelding was switched out after the second-last flight to range up alongside Lareena. She soon went past her stablemate but had Minella Awards almost on terms jumping the last. Minella Awards headed Low Sun on the run-in, however, Low Sun was ridden by Katie O'Farrell and stayed on strongest to score by two and a half lengths at 7/1. Runner-up Minella Awards was a 10/1 chance. Willie Mullins also saddled the third, fourth and fifth home in this 100,00 euro contest - Shanning 5/2 favourite, Lareena 16/1 and Court Artist respectively. Willie Mullins said: "Low Sun was probably on our 'to sell' list in the spring time but has come out now and won in Fairyhouse and here and I still thing he has a career on the flat so he could possibly go for some of those staying handicaps on the flat later in the summer or early autumn. "He is turning out to be a stayer, totally and even today I thought he was beaten but Katie got a second wind out of him and he stayed on really well. "Shanning (third placed) ran well for her third run over hurdles and if I can keep her sound she's a mare that will win a handicap or two and I think she's a really nice mare." Paul Townend was stood down for the rest of the card after being brought down on Uradel. Mullins is the leading trainer at this year's festival. The Stewards noted that the field took the incorrect course after jumping the hurdle after the stands. Mr. L. Wyer, Clerk of the Course was interviewed. The Stewards considered Rule 215 (i), Rule 215 (ii) and also the powers of the Stewards provided in Rule 10. They determined at this point that the entire field took the incorrect course on the first circuit and found that no horse gained an advantage as a result thereof and decided that it was not appropriate or necessary to Invoke their powers to void the race and allowed the result to stand. The Stewards therefore took no further action. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
