Shortall goes a place better 35 minutes on Just a race after being denied on Supreme Vic, Shane Shortall had the enjoyable experience of getting the better of Tony McCoy when his mount Greatness (4/1 favourite) caught and beat the record breaker's ride, Golden Ticket, by half a length in the 40,000 Euro Tote Jackpot Guarantee Handicap Hurdle at Galway. Pace-setter Golden Ticket was reportedly matched at 1/50 in running for 4K on one betting exchange but despite having taken what looked a race ending stumble at the back of two out, Greatness picked up to land the spoils in the shadow of the post. Winning trainer Tony Martin said: "We're very happy with that but we were a bit fortunate at the second last. Our jockey did the right thing and gave him a few strides to recover. "He got a dream run down the inner the whole way and we had fortune on our side. "Shane is some value for his 7Ib claim. It's great to have it – he won't have it for long but we'll make use of it whilst it's there. "The horse is in again on Saturday and we'll see how he is on Friday morning first. "It'd be doubtful if Quick Jack (Monday night's big winner) would run again. We may put him by for something like the Ebor or the Cesarewitch." Meanwhile Shortall commented: "He 'missed' the second last but he winged the last and was very game. He got there in the nick of time and he just took off up the hill. There just wasn't any beating him on the day. "That's my second Galway Festival winner and Busted Tycoon really put me on the map here last year. "It all started off for me with the Derwins in Athlone - show-jumping and pony racing." P. Townend, rider of Grey Monk trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise and was pulled up. J.L. Cullen, rider of Star Power, trained by Desmond McDonogh, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost his action and was pulled up. (AM & EM)
