Hallowed Star and Conor McNamara pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Hallowed Star completed a quick double for owner Antoinette Mee, as he got up in the dying strides to take the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Having made the breakthrough over flights at Roscommon last month, the John 'Shark' Hanlon trained six-year-old was well-fancied to follow-up this evening, going off the 2/1 favourite from early shows of 5/1.
Settled behind the leaders by Conor McNamara, replacing Jordan Gainford, the son of Sea The Stars was sixth jumping two out as Ashqar was sent for home under Dylan Whelan.
Having improved into second at the last, where he wasn't fluent, the winner found another gear in the last 150 yards, getting up in the final strides to prevail by half-a-length.
The Declan Queally trained Ashqar (20/1) had to settle for second, while Varna Gold (12/1) kept on well to take third, with Toms Courage (12/1) completing the places in fourth.
Hanlon said in the aftermath: "He is lazy and needs stoking up. Conor gave him a brilliant ride because he was off it a long way out and I'm lucky to get him after the other chap (Jordan Gainford) got hurt.
"He needs further and needs daylight because he is a typical flat horse who never jumps as well as a national hunt horse. I think he wants two and a half miles and its great to get a winner for these people (Mees) on the day.
"We have nothing planned, I don't think the handicapper can be over hard on him and he wasn't over hard on him the last day.
"It's great to get a winner in Galway, I always say one winner does the job."
Antoinette Mee had earlier won the opening race with Purple Mountain while her colours were also carried to success on Monday when Zero Ten scored.
E. Walsh, rider of Blowing Dixie (GB) trained by John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the fifth last.
P.J. O'Hanlon, rider of Military Hill trained by Paul Stafford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake down the back and pulled up thereafter.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed D.G. Whelan, rider of Ashqar, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who outlined his inexperience, but accepted that he had breached Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D.G. Whelan was in breach of both Regulation 10.3g(frequency) and 10.3(i)(time to respond). Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended D.G. Whelan for 2 racedays.
The Stewards enquired into an incident on the approach to the second last involving Nibiru ridden by L.A. McKenna, placed fifth and Shes Some Doll ridden by J.P. O'Sullivan, unplaced, where it appeared that Nibiru ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J.P. O'Sullivan stated that a gap appeared down the inner, but it closed from his outside causing him to tighten in on Mr. McKenna. L.A. McKenna stated that he went for a gap that opened and as the rail came out it closed. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was accidental and that no further action was warranted.
The Stewards enquired from J.B. Foley rider of Princely Conn who fell on the flat in this race after the second last. The rider reported that his mount clipped a heel and fell independently. Having considered the evidence and viewed a recording of the incident, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
