Princess Zoe and Finian Maguire win the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap from Run For Mary (second right)© Photo Healy Racing
The featured Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap saw Princess Zoe (7/1) pick up well from off the pace to win under Finny Maguire.
There was a fairly sedate pace which meant there were lots of horses in with a chance when they straightened up.
The winner had plenty to do but Maguire, who lost his 3lbs claim with this victory, brought her through between horses and she was very strong in the last half-furlong to win going away.
A length and a quarter was the margin of victory, with Run For Mary keeping on well for second ahead of the big-priced pair Golden Spear and Zenon
Champion Hurdle runner-up Sharjah was sent off 5/2 favourite and finished tenth.
Twice a winner in her native Germany, Princess Zoe, a 5-y-o grey mare by Jukebox Jury, had been impressive at the Curragh on her second start in Ireland, and defied a 13lbs rise in the ratings for that performance.
Winning trainer Tony Mullins said "Bernard Cullinane found her for us in Germany but when I saw where she was for sale, with the flights being so difficult, I decided not to go that journey and very luckily I didn't go because I know if I went I wouldn't have bought her.
"When she arrived home she had quite crooked legs and I know if I went to Germany I wouldn't have bought her. Thanks be to God I bought her on the phone and when she arrived I couldn't do anything about it. But the first day I worked her I knew we were ok.
"I know Paddy (Kehoe, owner) forty years and we've had great luck together. The few we've bought over the years, nearly ever one won.
"We are now thinking of the English Cesarewitch and we might also think about a bit of black-type as she has a good pedigree. She is entered on Saturday and is a good filly and I want to go right by her.
"Paddy (Kehoe) already has her backed for the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham so I suppose she'll be schooled."
"To win a feature race at Galway is like a Cheltenham winner to me or having one at Royal Ascot. With the type of horse I have, it is the best I can aspire to win and we have won a few features over the years."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
