The Guinness Galway Hurdle is the target for Grimes after J P McManus' gelding captured the Murphys Handicap Hurdle for the second successive year at Killarney yesterday.
Charlie Swan's mount made all in this #35,000 event, and settled the issue when quickening clear after three out. The eight-year-old was eased rigght down by Swan in the closing stages to record an effortless 13 length verdict over The Bongo Man.
'He is a lovely horse to have' said a delighted winning trainer Christy Roche afterwards before adding: 'I would like to get another race into him before Galway'.
Breffni Flyer maintained an impressive record in ladies races when leading a furlong out for Aileen Sloane Lee to beat Rossmill Native by a length and a half in the Whitegates Hotel Ladies Handicap. 'He is unbeaten in three ladies races, having already won a hurdle at Wexford and a Flat race at Cork', said trainer Pat Martin.
Diamond Melody led over the last to beat Khairabar by two lengths in the Smurfit Corrugated Cases Handicap Chase, and Tralee trainer Tom Cooper indicated the gelding may run again here tomorrow (Tuesday). 'He jumped beautifully, and the better ground was a big help', said Cooper.
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