Jazzaway (right) just gets the better of Western Victory© Photo Healy Racing
Having got up in the dying strides on Hallowed Star in the second, Conor McNamara repeated the feat aboard Jazzaway in the feature at Galway this evening, the Grade B Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
Second at Ballybrit twelve months ago, the winning daughter of Shantou was since successful at the Punchestown Festival in April, going up just seven pounds for that success.
Upped in trip today, the Willie Mullins trained six-year-old was sent off a 9/1 chance in the colours of the Whitegrass Racing Syndicate.
Settled in mid-division, she was pushed along in ninth from the second last, improving into fifth as they cleared the final flight.
Soon ridden, she came with her challenge inside the final 150 yards and after a good battle with Western Victory (16s to 10s), just a head separated the pair at the line.
The runner-up, who was never far off the pace under Shane Fitzgerald, was a second narrow defeat of the evening for trainer Declan Queally, following on from Ashqar in the second race on the card. Litterale Ci (11/1) was another three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third, while Line Out (40/1) completed the places in fourth. Visionarian and My Sister Sarah were sent off the 5/1 joint-favourites and they finished fifth and eighth respectively.
Mullins, who was completing a double and registering his eighth winner of the week, said: "I told the owner she wasn't going to run this week as she was lame the other day, but whatever happened, 24 hours later, she seemed fine and then she comes out and does this.
"It was minor but at the time it looked major, especially for Galway week and she also lost a shoe today. She is brave and has now won a handicap in Punchestown and comes here, going out in trip, and wins another handicap.
"There wasn't much else for her after Punchestown but if you want to have a go at big prizemoney, you've got to do that.
"Conor gave her a great ride and his 3lbs (claim) obviously counted.
"She has a lovely pedigree, is a sister to Briar Hill and I don't think we'll run her back too soon. We'll see where the next big prize money race is and I don't know if she'll go jumping fences or not.
"We're very happy with what she's done and she has done more than we ever thought she would."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed S. Fitzgerald, rider of Western Victory, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that he was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that S. Fitzgerald was in breach of both regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and 10.3(i)(time to respond) and having considered his record they suspended him for 3 racedays.
J.W. Kennedy, rider of Tronador trained by Mrs Denise Foster, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
