Tudor City (noseband) jumps the last before going on to land his second Galway Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Tudor City (22/1) landed his second win in the Guinness Galway Hurdle at the age of ten in the hands of 7lb claimer Liam McKenna.
Remarkably, the latter was having his first ride of the season and was notching his first winner since April.
The durable son of Yeats, successful in this race under Robbie Power in 2019 and seventh and fifth in the last two renewals, was patiently handled and jumped the second-last in fifth.
He improved travelling well on the approach to the straight and was switched off the rail to get a clear passage down to the last. After a fluent leap, he was soon on terms with Jesse Evans and he stayed on well to beat that rival by three parts of a length. Prairie Dancer and Glan completed the frame.
After Thomas Edison and Quick Jack in 2014 and 2015, it was a fourth Galway Hurdle in nine years for Tony Martin and a third win in the race for the owner of Quick Jack and Tudor City, John Breslin.
“We had a few great days here and this lad won it a few years ago and prior to that we won it with Quick Jack and Thomas Edison," said Martin.
“These are the races you love to win and target them a while out. Fortunately enough it has worked out for us a few times.
“It's a great place to be, it's great to be here and great to have the ammunition.
“I met John in America in 1985, he's a great friend of my father's and he's looked after me since I was a nipper. Himself and his wife Debbie are two great people. We joined up in 2000.
“At that time he only came home for Galway and Leopardstown so you'd try and have the horses for those meetings, whenever he'd be home.
“He's been home for the last couple of years and it makes it a little easier as we can go wherever we have to go with them but the likes of this race is always a target from a long way out.
“It's gone so competitive but fortunately enough I have a few good men behind me still. If we get a few nice horses hopefully we can do the job with them.
“You could see a while ago that the horse was beginning to come to himself. He was coming in his coat, his skin, and you could see he was in rude health.
“We tried to have him as good as we could for today and it showed beforehand in the ring. He was mad alive and bold and active. He was getting a little warm which was a great sign and luckily enough he delivered.
“He seems to peak this time of year and his best runs are here. He handles the place and likes it obviously.
“It was an incredible ride, a ride Ruby Walsh would have been proud of. We had a good chat about it on Sunday and Monday when we decided he would ride him and everything went so right for him.
“He gave him a cool patient ride and was excellent on him.
“I was afraid the pace they went that he wouldn't get home from the last but fortunately enough we did.
“He's a right rider, most importantly he listens to you and he knows them from home which is a big help.”
John Breslin added:- “I'm shaking with delight. I thought he'd run well but the ride young Liam gave him was absolute perfection. He did everything he was told.
“The horse is a legend and it's just fabulous.
“There is nobody like Tony, the last time a ten-year-old won this race was 1947!”
Quotes from Gary Carson
