Sign From Above and Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Sign From Above provided trainer Peter Fahey with his third winner at this year’s Galway Festival when justifying favouritism in the 1m6f Hop House 13 Handicap.
The Sea The Stars gelding was beaten just over a length when third to Granville Street over 1m4f yesterday and was well-backed on his return here going off the 9/4 favourite.
Ronan Whelan had to weave a path between horses in the straight but the five-year-old, who Fahey trains for his wife Ber, finished strongly to get up in the closing stages. Longclaw was three quarters of a length back in second with Luminous Light and No Thanks completing the places.
Fahey said, ““It's brilliant. I fancied him really well yesterday, he finished out his race really well but didn't get there in time.
“I haven't been home but the lads at home said he was in great nick this morning so we decided to run him and thank-God it paid off.
“The rain took the real speed out of it and he got to travel really well and Ronan rode him with loads of confidence.
“It's great, he runs in Ber, my wife's colours, but her brother Andrew (Leigh) owns a good bit of him as well and enjoys it as well.
“He's a lovely horse and he's very consistent. He'll end up having a nice mark over hurdles and he's a great horse to have fun with.
“We love it down here. I actually had a runner in the first and it didn't work out so I went into the town, met the lads and had a bit of craic and came back out for the last! It was great, thank-God.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
